Two teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a man in his 70s was reportedly punched and later died – it followed reports that two males had thrown a branch from the Millennium Bridge in Cheltenham
Two teenage boys have been arrested on suspicion of murder after it was reported that a branch was thrown from the Millennium Bridge in Cheltenham.
Gloucestershire Constabulary said officers were called to a report of an incident involving three males at around 7.30pm on Wednesday. It was reported that two males had thrown a large branch from the Millennium Bridge at a cyclist who was travelling on the road below – although the cyclist is not believed to have been injured.
Police say the males then left the bridge and were approached by a man aged in his 70s on Honeybourne Way. It is reported one of the males punched the man in the face causing him to fall to the ground. The man later died.
Two boys, aged 17 and 16, were initially being arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm. The suspects have been rearrested on suspicion of murder following the victims death, police say.
Gloucestershire Constabulary said: “Two teenage boys have been arrested after police released CCTV images in connection with a serious assault in Cheltenham on Wednesday night (8 April).
“Since their arrests, the victim has died and the suspects have been rearrested on suspicion of murder. Following information provided by the public, a 17-year-old boy was arrested last night (Thursday) and a 16-year-old boy was arrested in the early hours of this morning (Friday).
“Both of the boys were arrested in Cheltenham and they remain in police custody after initially being arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm. At around 7.30pm on Wednesday 8 April police had been called with a report of an incident involving three males.
“It was reported that two males had been on the Millennium Bridge and had thrown a large branch at a cyclist who was travelling on the road below. It is not believed the cyclist was injured.
“The males then left the bridge and were approached by the victim, a man aged in his 70s, on Honeybourne Way. It is reported an exchange took place between them before one of the male punched the victim in the face causing him to fall to the ground.
“The suspects then fled before officers arrived at the location. Emergency services attended and the victim was taken to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital. He had been in a critical condition and died in hospital earlier today (Friday 10 April). His next of kin and the coroner have been informed.”
CCTV footage of the suspects were released as part of the investigation and police have thanked the public for their help in identifying them. The statement from the force continued: “Following police enquiries at the scene and a review of CCTV, images of the suspects were released to the public in a bid to identify them.
“Investigating officers have thanked all those who have provided information so far. They are still appealing for further information and witnesses to what took place to come forward and contact police. Information can be provided to police online by completing the following form and quoting incident 430 of 8 April: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/
