Boy, 15, stabbed to death in Manchester attack praised as 'hero for defending wounded mum'
10 June 2022, 11:07 | Updated: 19 October 2022, 10:46
A 15-year-old boy who was stabbed to death in Manchester has been hailed as a "hero" and "protector" after it was reported he tried to defend his injured mother.
Jakub Szymanski was killed in the Miles Platting area on Thursday evening and his mother, Katarzyna Bastek, was hurt.
The Manchester Evening News reported he was trying to defend his mother during the incident.
His family have released a statement paying tribute to the "popular, chatty" teenager.
They said: "Jakub was lovingly known as Kuba to his family and Jakub to his friends. He was always a popular child making friends wherever he went due to his friendly and chatty nature.
"He always spoke his mind, he was mischievous, funny and a cheeky boy. He loved his Xbox and football, supporting Manchester City.
"He was like every other teenage boy and was helpful to so many people, even those he just met. To our family, he's our hero."
A person close to Jakub who wished to remain anonymous said: "There's not a chance that boy isn't a hero. Everyone here knew him for being kind and respectful.
"He was quiet, but he was a protector. He fought for his family.
"He was an amazing person, he was a hero and he should be remembered as one."
A 44-year-old man from Manchester was arrested in Kent on Friday evening on suspicion of murder.
He is believed to be known to the victims.
Officers were called to the home at 9.30pm last night.
Jakub was treated at the scene for stab wounds before being taken to hospital where he died around an hour later, the force said.
Police said his mother, in her 40s, was treated at the scene for serious stab wounds and is now in a stable condition in hospital.
Read more: Five arrested over football fan's murder seven years after attack
Read more: Almost 10,000 buildings 'unsafe' with danger cladding five years on from Grenfell
A large police cordon remained around the scene on Bednal Avenue as investigations continue.
Detective Chief Inspector Alicia Smith, from Greater Manchester Police's Major Incident Team, said: "Last night's attack has left a community reeling and a family coming to terms with what was an absolutely devastating incident for everyone involved.
"A teenage boy who had his whole life ahead of him has tragically lost his life and not only is his mother grieving at the loss of her son, but she is also recovering from what will have been no doubt, hugely traumatic.
"Our thoughts remain very much with the family and we are absolutely committed to establishing what exactly happened last night.
"Detectives have been working around the clock since this incident was first reported to us and we've now made an arrest which is a huge step forward in getting the family the answers they need.
"Our inquiries are on-going and we would still like to hear from anyone with information, or anyone who may have seen anything. Report it online or via LiveChat at www.gmp.police.uk or alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."
