Pictured: Teenage boy, 17, who was stabbed to death in a ‘targeted’ attack

Family and friends held a candle-lit vigil for a 17-year-old boy who was stabbed to death in a ‘targeted’ attack in Ipswich as he walked home from the shops.

Witnesses said that Tavis Spencer Aitkens was approached by two other men on bicycles, followed by four others, and moments later he was lying on the ground. 

They claimed that they saw him being attacked with ‘bottles and knives’ as people began ‘wailing and crying’ as the gang fled the scene. 

Detectives have arrested a 41-year-old man on suspicion of murder following the incident at around 4.50pm on Saturday. 

 Tavis Spencer Aitkens, 17, was stabbed to death in a ‘targeted’ attack in Ipswich

Tributes to Mr Aitkens have poured in following the daylight attack as friends lay flowers and held a candle lit vigil to him. 

One friend wrote on Twitter: ‘It’s sad that we live in a fucked up generation where stabbings & murders are so common. RIP Tavis Spencer-Aitkens, you’re gonna be missed & loved by all the family, gonna miss you little cousin!’

Another added: ‘Tavis Spencer Aitkens 2/2/01 – 2/6/18 fly High my beautiful boy.’

A third wrote: ‘Rest in peace tavis… thoughts go out to the family.

Witnesses claimed Mr Aitkens was being attacked with 'bottles and knives' as people began 'wailing and crying' as the gang fled the scene

Witnesses claimed Mr Aitkens was being attacked with ‘bottles and knives’ as people began ‘wailing and crying’ as the gang fled the scene

Detectives have arrested a 41-year-old man on suspicion of murder following the incident at around 4.50pm on Saturday

Detectives have arrested a 41-year-old man on suspicion of murder following the incident at around 4.50pm on Saturday

‘I honestly don’t understand the world we live in anymore.

‘What happened to the love and unity, now it’s just knives and crime.’ 

The Nacton estate and other areas of Ipswich have been plagued by gang violence linked to drug dealing in recent years.

One resident said: ‘Most of the trouble around here is lined to gangs and this incident almost certainly was.

Tributes to Mr Aitkens have poured in following the daylight attack as friends lay flowers and held a candle lit vigil to him

Tributes to Mr Aitkens have poured in following the daylight attack as friends lay flowers and held a candle lit vigil to him

‘I don’t know whether Tavis was involved – but people hang around loosely on the edge and they get caught up in things.’

The Nacton estate has its own gang named Q-Block, based around the Queen’s Way parade of shops which Tavis had visited before being attacked.

It is believed that Mr Aitkens may have spent time in hospital after being stabbed in an earlier attack several months ago

It is believed that Mr Aitkens may have spent time in hospital after being stabbed in an earlier attack several months ago

The Nacton estate and other areas of Ipswich have been plagued by gang violence linked to drug dealing in recent years

The Nacton estate and other areas of Ipswich have been plagued by gang violence linked to drug dealing in recent years

The Nacton estate and other areas of Ipswich have been plagued by gang violence linked to drug dealing in recent years

Local residents said there had been a simmering feud between Q-Block members and another gang named J-Block based around the Jubilee Park area of Ipswich.

It is believed that Mr Aitkens may have spent time in hospital after being stabbed in an earlier attack several months ago.

One local resident who asked not to be named said: ‘He was stabbed once and it looks like they came back to finish the job.’

Another resident said: ‘I know the lad and I was speaking to him outside the shops earlier on.

Tearful family and friends come to lay flowers in tribute to the murdered teenager

Tearful family and friends come to lay flowers in tribute to the murdered teenager

Tearful family and friends come to lay flowers in tribute to the murdered teenager 

Flowers were left at the base of a tree near where Mr Aitken was attacked yesterday 

Flowers were left at the base of a tree near where Mr Aitken was attacked yesterday 

‘My girlfriend then saw these guys jumping out of a van and attacking him and before you knew it he was on the floor.’

A woman said: ‘I heard that they attacked him with bottles and knives. He was a lovely lad. It could have been a case of mistaken identity.’

A resident of Packard Avenue said: ‘I was working in my garden and was aware of some skirmish going on.

Forensics were present at the scene of the murder today in Ipswich 

Forensics were present at the scene of the murder today in Ipswich 

A group of police men and forensics can be seen examining the scene

A group of police men and forensics can be seen examining the scene

‘The next thing I knew there were people wailing and crying. There were nine police cars and a van here, plus two ambulances.’

Packard Way remained cordoned off by police today after a search for clues was completed on Saturday night by forensic officers. 

A group of around 30 people held a candlelit vigil at the spot on Saturday night, including the boy’s father, Neville Aitkens.   

Reverand  Peterson Anand, the minister of Nansen Road Baptist Church, said: ‘I was informed by a resident to pray for the boy who was stabbed.

Police at the scene in Ipswich, Suffolk, where Mr Aitkens was  stabbed to death

Police at the scene in Ipswich, Suffolk, where Mr Aitkens was stabbed to death

A man, 41, has been arrested on suspicion of murder following the incident at around 4.50pm on Saturday

A man, 41, has been arrested on suspicion of murder following the incident at around 4.50pm on Saturday

‘I came to the church at around 9pm when people were gathered around the tree. I led them in prayer, a reading from the bible and singing Christian hymns for around an hour.

‘There were around 20 to 30 young people who were really touched and quite distressed. I believe it brought comfort to them to sing and pray together.

‘Neville and his family came out. They were just in a complete state of shock and unable to say anything.’ 

A Suffolk Police spokesman said: ‘A murder inquiry has been launched following the death of a teenager who was stabbed in south-east Ipswich, as police make an arrest in connection with the incident.

‘Officers were called by the ambulance service at 4.50pm on Saturday, to reports that a 17-year-old boy had been stabbed in Packard Avenue.

Suffolk Constabulary said early inquiries led detectives to believe it was a targeted attack

Suffolk Constabulary said early inquiries led detectives to believe it was a targeted attack

‘The air ambulance and police helicopter were also called to assist and the victim was taken to Ipswich Hospital with life-threatening injuries, where he sadly subsequently died.

‘Early enquires lead detectives to believe that this was a targeted attack and initial witness reports have stated that the victim was walking back from the shops in Queen’s Way when he was approached by two males on bicycles who attacked him.

‘Witnesses state that they were then joined by four to five other males and he was further assaulted, before all the offenders then fled the scene.

‘Packard Avenue is currently closed as a murder investigation takes place and officers have been undertaking numerous enquiries already.

‘As a result of these enquires, a 41-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and taken into police custody for questioning.

The boy was rushed to hospital with life threatening injuries but died from the stab wounds

The boy was rushed to hospital with life threatening injuries but died from the stab wounds

‘Members of the public can expect to see an increased police presence in Ipswich, with additional high-visibility patrols taking place across the town.

‘Police are appealing for anyone with CCTV or dash cams who were in the area of Queen’s Way, Packard Avenue, Rands Way or Kingsway, between 12pm and 7.45pm on Saturday 2 June to make contact.’ 

Officers and paramedics, as well the police helicopter and air ambulance, were called to Packard Avenue, where the boy was found with life-threatening injuries.

He was taken to Ipswich Hospital but later died. 

Anyone with information should contact the Major Investigation Team on 101, quoting reference CAD 306 of June 2, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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