A dog walker who died after a group of children allegedly attacked him and “kicked him in the neck and back” has been photographed 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 that five boys have been arrested on suspicion of murder after Kohli succumbed to his injuries last night.
The alleged attackers, who targeted Mr Kohli when he was seconds away from the safety of his home, are a 14-year-old boy and girl and two 12-year-old girls and a boy.
They are currently in custody and being questioned.
Mr Kohli is survived by his devastated wife, three children and two grandchildren.
Bhim Sen Kohli, 80, was walking through Kranklin Park in Braunstone Town, near Leicester, when he was “kicked to death” on Sunday night.
Leicestershire Police today confirmed that five children, three of them aged just 12, have been arrested on suspicion of murder after the 80-year-old man succumbed to his injuries last night.
The alleged attack happened on Sunday night and left Mr Kohli with serious injuries, before he sadly died last night.
Police officers are seen entering and leaving the area of the park where the alleged attack occurred.
He was found fighting for his life, after being allegedly attacked by a group of youths, who fled before emergency services arrived.
The force said today it had launched a murder investigation after the man died in the following hours, and confirmed that more schoolchildren had been arrested.
They are now calling for witnesses to come forward.
The victim’s daughter said yesterday that her father had been left with neck and spinal injuries after the attack and was scheduled to undergo surgery.
She told the Leicester Mercury: ‘They pushed him, they kicked him in the neck, they kicked him in the spine.
‘I was about 30 seconds from getting home. He’s always been very active – he has three vegetable gardens. We’ve lived here for 40 years.’
She described how she ran to the park and found her father “lying under a tree”.
As the victim had 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 night to come forward.
Neighbour Deep Kalia told the Mirror she had known Kahli for 35 years and described him as a “fit man” who was regularly seen in his orchard.
He said he had two sons and a daughter, as well as two grandchildren.
Detective Inspector Emma Matts said: ‘Sadly, following the death of the victim last night, this has now become a murder investigation.
A police cordon remained in place on Tuesday as police announced that three 12-year-olds and two 14-year-olds had been arrested on suspicion of murder.
Police were still guarding the entrance to the park this morning after the horrific incident occurred.
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 continue to work quickly to establish the details of the attack and we have made a number of arrests as we continue to understand what happened.
‘A scene preservation device will remain in place at the park while our investigation continues. Local officers are also in the area carrying out safety patrols and are welcome to speak to anyone in the local community who has concerns.’
Police believe the man was wearing a black sweater and grey sweatpants.
Leicestershire Police said in a statement today: ‘At 6.30pm on Sunday 1st September 2024, an 80-year-old man was assaulted near the entrance to Franklin Park, Bramble Way, Braunstone Town, and later died in hospital.
‘The victim, who was walking his dog, was reportedly wearing a black jumper and grey tracksuit bottoms and was severely assaulted by a group of youths. They left the scene before emergency services arrived.
Leicestershire Police have launched a murder investigation and arrested five people (a boy and a girl aged 14 and a boy and two girls aged 12) on suspicion of murder. They are currently being questioned 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 are also keen to speak to anyone who was in or around the park.
‘Were you in the Franklin Park or Bramble Way area between 18:00 and 18:45 on Sunday 1 September 2024? Did you see the attack itself? From the description provided, did you see the victim prior to the incident or possibly a group of youths leaving the area afterwards?’
‘If you have any information, relevant digital photographs, videos, CCTV or dash cam or doorbell footage, please submit it via the Portal form.’
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