A murder probe has been launched after three people were attacked inside a home in Brighton, leaving one dead.
Emergency services scrambled to reports of ’loud shouting and screaming’ and a man going ‘berserk’ inside a property on Hartfield Avenue shortly before 7.30am.
Officers discovered a man, 57, with ‘significant injuries’ which he later died from. A woman and boy were also found in the house with serious injuries and were rushed to hospital.
A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder. He remains in police custody.
Sussex Police said it is not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident.
Dean, whose home backs onto Hartfield Avenue, was getting ready for college when he heard a ’loud shouting and screaming’ and ‘a big commotion’ before police arrived on the scene.
He said: ‘I was up early but then I heard all this loud shouting and screaming. I couldn’t hear what was being said but it was loud. It was a big commotion.
’Shortly after that I heard police and ambulance arriving and then a whole load more shouting, I think from police officers. I went out to have a look and was told by officers to keep away.
A 19-year-old boy was arrested this morning on suspicion of murder after police were called to a ‘berserk’ attack on Hartfield Avenue, Brighton
Officers found a 57-year-old man inside lying inside suffering from catastrophic injuries but was pronounced dead at the scene
‘I went back to the house and told my mum and we were a bit worried in case someone was loose with a weapon. It was over really quickly but it’s terribly scary.’
One elderly neighbour said: ‘I didn’t hear anything but I heard a young man had gone berserk in the house early this morning. By the time police arrived it was all over and he was arrested.
‘There were ambulances and police officers everywhere and everyone was quite alarmed. Initially people though someone might be armed and loose but it quickly became apparent officers had arrested someone.
‘It’s very, very alarming and it sounds tragic. My heart goes out to the family.’
Another resident said: ‘Police cars, ambulances and paramedics descended on the house. Everyone was staring out of their windows trying to figure out what was happening.
‘Thankfully the arrest was made quite peacefully but there was a moment when I thought there could be a hostage situation. Thankfully it seems that was averted.
‘It’s really sad. I don’t know the family at all but it’s all very tragic. What impels someone to such an act?’
This morning there was a large police cordon in place and around five forensic officers were seen coming in and out of the three-bedroom terraced home.
Police cars were seen lining the street this morning as officers gathered evidence from the attack
There will be a ‘heightened presence of emergency services in the area’ while officers continue investigating
Divisional Commander Chief Superintendent Rachel Carr said: ‘Following an emergency call to police, an immediate response was sent to Hartfield Avenue, where sadly, a man was found deceased, and a woman and child were found seriously injured.
‘A suspect is in custody and a fast moving investigation is underway to establish exactly what happened and why.
‘This is a tragic incident and we understand it will cause shock and alarm among the local community, however there is not believed to be a wider threat to the public at this time.’
The police added that ‘there will be a heightened presence of emergency services in the area while the response to the incident continues’.
Neighbours said a man was going ‘berserk’ in the house and police were called at around 7.30am.
This is a breaking news story. More to follow.
