A dog walker who died after a group of children allegedly attacked him and ‘kicked him in the neck and back’ has been pictured for the first time.
Three girls and two boys aged between 12 and 14 have been arrested on suspicion of murder after Bhim Sen Kohli, 80, was ‘seriously’ assaulted while walking his dog in Franklin Park at around 6.30pm on Sunday.
Leicestershire Police today confirmed five children had been arrested on suspicion of murder after Mr Kohli last night succumbed to his injuries.
The alleged attackers, who targeted Mr Kohli when he was just seconds away from the safety of his home, are a boy and a girl aged 14 and two girls and one boy aged 12.
They are currently in custody being questioned.
Mr Kohli is survived by his devastated wife, three children and two grandchildren.
Bhim Sen Kohli, 80, was walking in Kranklin Park, Braunstone Town, near Leicester when he was ‘kicked to death’ on Sunday evening
The alleged attack happened on Sunday night leaving Mr Kohli with severe injuries, before he sadly died last night
Police officers were pictured entering and leaving the area of the park in which the alleged attack occurred
He was found fighting for his life, after he was allegedly attacked by a group of youths – who took off before emergency services arrived.
The force today said they had launched a murder probe after Mr Kohli died in the hours that followed. They are now pleading for witnesses to come forward.
The victim’s daughter yesterday said that her father had been left with neck and spine injuries after the attack, and had been scheduled to undergo surgery.
She told the Leicester Mercury: ‘They pushed him, they kicked him in the neck, kicked him in the spine.
‘He was about 30 seconds away from getting home. He’s always been very active – he has three allotments. We’ve lived here for 40 years.’
She described rushing to the park to find her father ‘lying under a tree’.
As the victim had previous contact with the police, the force has now also voluntarily referred the case to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
Detectives have been working with local residents and are actively seeking witnesses who were in the park on Sunday evening to come forward.
Neighbour Deep Kalia told the Mirror she had known Mr Kahli for 35 years, describing him as a ‘fit man’ who was regularly seen at his allotment.
She said he had two sons and a daughter, as well as two grandchildren.
Residents say Mr Kohli had been targeted by children before, including having ‘stones thrown’ at him.
A police cordon remained in place on Tuesday as police announced three children aged 12 and another two aged 14 had been arrested on suspicion of murder
Leicestershire Police today confirmed five children – three as young as 12 – had been arrested on suspicion of murder after the man, 80, last night succumbed to his injuries
One resident said: ‘I think he had been harassed before by teenagers. I don’t know him really, but I saw him around.
‘That afternoon I did see three lads and two teenage girls walking around laughing.
‘I know someone said kids had been throwing stones at him.’
Frank, 50, a neighbour who lives on the same street as Mr Kohli, said: ‘Everyone is lovely around here, it’s lovely and quiet.
‘The police have been here since Monday morning and the park entrance has been shut. I’d just seen him [Mr Kohli] around. He lives with his family, it’s really scary.’
Another neighbour said she spoke to Mr Kohli days before the murder.
She said: ‘He was nice, he’s been there for a long time. I think 35 years he’s been living there.
‘He had a big dog. His name was Rocky. He lived with his family. We all know him. He was very nice to everyone.
‘He was lovely. Last Wednesday I talked to him, and he was in good spirits. He was talking about his allotments.’
Today Emma Matts, a detective inspector, said: ‘Sadly, following the death of the victim last night, this has now become a murder investigation.
Police still guarded the entry to the park this morning after the horror incident unfolded
An elderly man has tragically died in hospital after a group of schoolchildren allegedly attacked him while he was walking his dog in Franklin Park in Braunstone Town, Leicester
‘Officers are continuing to work at speed to establish the details of the attack and we have made a number of arrests as we continue to understand what has happened.
‘A scene preservation will remain in place at the park while our investigation progresses. Local officers are also in the area carrying out reassurance patrols and can speak to anyone in the local community who has concerns.’
Police believe the man had been wearing a black jumper and grey jogging bottoms.
Leicestershire Police said in a statement today: ‘At 18.30 on Sunday 1st September 2024, an 80-year-old man was assaulted near the Franklin Park entrance, Bramble way, Braunstone Town, and later died in hospital.
‘It is reported the victim, who was walking his dog, is believed to have been wearing a black jumper and grey jogging bottoms and was seriously assaulted by a group of young people. They left the scene prior to emergency services arriving.
‘Leicestershire Police have launched a murder investigation and have arrested five people – a boy and a girl aged 14 and one boy and two girls aged 12 – on suspicion of murder. They are currently being interviewed by police.
‘Detectives are currently working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident and are speaking to residents in the area to gather as much information as possible. They also wish speak to anyone who was in the park or in the surrounding area.
‘Were you in the area of Franklin Park or Bramble Way from 1800 to 1845 on Sunday 1st September 2024? Did you see the attack itself? From the description given did you see the victim before the incident or possibly a group of young people leaving the area after?
‘If you have information, and if you have relevant digital photos, videos, CCTV, or Dash-cam / Doorbell-cam footage please submit via the Portal form.’
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