Murder probe after boy's stabbing

Connor was stabbed in the shoulder and died on the way to hospital

A teenage boy has been stabbed to death after attending a party in Manchester.

Connor Black, a 16-year-old joinery student, suffered a one inch stab wound to his upper left shoulder in Moston Lane, Harpurhey, in the early hours.

The youth, who lived in Harpurhey and was known to police, was found on grass just a few feet from the main road. He died on the way to hospital.

Police have found two knives and are testing them for fingerprints and DNA to see if they were used in the attack.

His family are devastated, his friends are devastated. The whole community is in shock Det Supt Shaun Donnellan Teenager fatally stabbed in fight

Detectives are also looking at CCTV footage and at this stage have said they do not have a motive for the attack.

A post-mortem examination is to be carried out later.

Det Supt Shaun Donnellan said: "Connor was a member of a loving family though he was known to the police but not for anything serious.

"His family are devastated, his friends are devastated. The whole community is in shock.

Det Supt Shaun Donnellan said CCTV was being analysed

"This is a wholly unusual event for this area.

"Greater Manchester Police are doing their utmost to tackle knife crime and in fact this is the only male under 17 who has been the victim of a knife murder for several years in Greater Manchester.

"This area in particular has shown great reductions in anti-social behaviour and violence."

North West Ambulance Services has denied a report from an eyewitness who said there had been a 30-minute delay in getting an ambulance to the scene. A spokesman said the ambulance was on site within 15 minutes.

Community in shock

The spokesman said that initially a rapid response vehicle with a solo paramedic was despatched after the call was received at 0202 BST. However the vehicle was stood down when information came through that the victim had been stabbed, as the service has a policy that it cannot send a solo responder to stabbings and shootings. An ambulance was then despatched and arrived at the scene at 0217 BST.

Neighbours have spoken of their shock over the killing, saying that Connor was "very much into his music", and was "not a troublemaker".

Kirsty Scullion, 18, who works as a beauty therapist, said: "He was a loveable lad who was never really in trouble.

"He was respectful but there had been trouble at this party.

Detectives are carrying out tests on two knives found in the area

"Someone told me that Connor was thought to have said something to someone, which he denied.

"It all then got out of hand and there was a commotion and he ended up getting stabbed.

"He wasn't the sort of lad who would look for trouble but he would back himself up."

Kirsty's brother, Jordan, 15, said: "He was a really good lad, I can't believe this has happened.

"He had everything to live for and was a normal young lad, into football. All his friends are stunned."

Police have appealed for anyone with information about the attack to get in touch.

They are particularly interested in speaking to anyone who saw a hooded figure seen running from the scene.