Marshall Wallis Road: 'It's normally a nice street' - Community's shock at 25-year-old man's death after suspected stabbing

In a statement released on Sunday, March 6, Northumbria Police confirmed that a 25-year-old man had died in hospital from suspected stab injuries following an altercation at an address in the street.

At time of writing, six men are in police custody.

The incident happened in the early hours of Saturday, March 5, with a large emergency services presence – including armed police, forensic teams and dog units – on the scene throughout the day.

A floral tribute has been placed in the street in condolence to the man who lost his life on Saturday. A card attached to it read “always be remembered” and “love always”.

Police work is ongoing in the Marshall Wallis Road area on Sunday.

As inquiries continued, Gazette reporter Neil Fatkin spoke to those living nearby.

‘I’m really shocked’

One resident, who did not wish to be named, told her of shock and sadness for those affected by the incident.

"It's really scary and I've been frightened to come out since it happened. This is the first time I have been out on the street since it happened”, she said.

"It's just difficult to think that someone has died on my street in this way. A lot of people on the street have kids and I just don't know what they must be thinking.

"At around 1.30am on Saturday morning I heard shouting on the street and then a few minutes later you could hear sirens. When I looked out I could see an ambulance with paramedics, normal police cars and armed police."

Sharing her concerns was 45-year-old Lee Henderson, who now lives on nearby Dean Road. He previously lived in Marshall Wallis Road.

He told the Gazette: “I walk past here everyday to drop my two-year-old son off. He goes to the nursery just across the road.

"As a dad, it really concerns me that he is going to grow up somewhere that this could happen. I'm really shocked.”

Nineteen-year-old Lee Ferguson also spoke to our reporter at the scene, and shared how the incident had brought back sad memories for him.

He explained: “It’s really sad what has happened and brings back bad memories.

"I lost my friend who was killed in a stabbing. I have lived here for a year and sadly this is not the first time it’s happened around here, and it’s becoming normal.

"I have kids and it is not nice for them.”

‘Too close for comfort'

Another resident, who asked to remain anonymous, added: “It's really bad and too close for comfort.

"I have an 18-year-old son and when something like this happens, I really worry for him.”

Amanda Conway was visiting her daughter and grandson, who live on the street, on Sunday.

Amanda, 49, told the Gazette that her daughter is looking to move in the wake of the incident.

She added: "I'm disgusted and shocked by what has happened. I'm really concerned for my daughter and grandson.”

‘I’m thinking of moving elsewhere’

A female resident who lives on the street but asked to remain anonymous said: "I have been here 10 years and it is usually a quiet street but after what has happened I'm thinking of moving elsewhere.

"My dad is 75 and can't be dealing with things like this. When the grandchildren come around they shouldn't be having to see or hear things like this."

A friend who has been staying for the weekend added: "I heard loads of shouting and then the police sirens. When I looked out of the window there were two police cars, three vans and two ambulances."

‘It’s normally a nice street’

Mary Maddison, 71, was paying her friend Valerie Dunnington a visit to deliver her morning paper on Sunday.

Mary, who lives in the adjacent street, said: “We are living in a horrible world at the moment and after what has happened, elderly people will be even more frightened to go out."

Valerie, 82, added: “It's terrible that this has happened on my street and I feel heartily sorry for [the deceased’s] parents. We've had the odd problem here before but nothing like this.”

Another man was visiting a relative in the street on Sunday.

He said: “It's a big shock to see something like this has happened - it's normally a nice street.”

“Hopefully whoever did this gets brought to justice."

As the police response to the incident continues, the force is calling on anyone with further details to come forward.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Woods, who is leading the investigation, said any information could be “crucial” to the police’s work.

*Northumbria Police is asking anyone with information to contact 101 quoting log NP-20220305-0055. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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