Three teenagers have been charged with murder following the death of Thomas Taylor, 17, who was stabbed near a bus station in Bedford.
Sixth-form student, Thomas, was fatally stabbed by a group of males near a bus station in Bedford as he walked along Greenhill Street in the city centre at 5.50pm on Wednesday.
He was left lying on the floor behind the town’s bus station while his assailants fled the scene.
CCTV images show five youths running wielding at least two knives running away from Bedford bus station shortly after the fatal knife attack.
Paramedics rushed the teenager to hospital with serious injuries but he was later pronounced dead.
The 17-year-old and two 18-year-olds who were arrested on Friday have now been charged with his murder.
Another man in his 60s was taken into custody on suspicion of assisting an offender on Thursday but has since been released on bail pending further enquiries.
Sixth-form student Thomas Taylor, 17 (pictured) was stabbed to death as he walked through the centre of Bedford on Wednesday
Thomas had been walking along Greenhill Street in Bedford (pictured) when he was ambushed by the thugs
Multiple parts of Bedford town centre were cordoned off as police conducted their investigations into the incident on Thursday
On Friday, Detective Inspector Richard Stott, leading the investigation for the Major Crime Unit, said: ‘This is an absolutely shocking incident in which a teenage boy has lost his life as a result of knife crime and serious youth violence.
‘We want to reassure the wider community that officers are pursuing all lines of enquiry as well as carrying out increased patrols in the surrounding area.
‘We are continuing to appeal for anyone who was in the area at the time and may have witnessed the incident, or the lead up to it.
‘We are also keen to speak to anyone who knows those involved, and we would encourage you to make contact with us via the Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP).’
Earlier this week, family and friends of the ‘respected’ 17-year-old issued tributes to the youngster.
His mother issued a heartfelt tribute to her son, remarking how the family were ‘completely devastated’ by the news.
‘He was really looking forward to his future and we are all completely devastated. He was deeply caring and family orientated and was a very intelligent boy,’ she said.
‘He brightened up any room he walked into he really cared about others and his life.’
CCTV image shows a group of five youths running away from Bedford bus station shortly after the fatal knife attack on Thomas
One of the youths can be seen brandishing a large knife in CCTV footage obtained exclusively by MailOnline
Floral tributes near Greenhill Street, close to Bedford bus station, following the stabbing
Thomas’s school friends told MailOnline how he ‘left everyone with a smile’.
One said: ‘The one word that sums him up is fun. You couldn’t have a bad day with him, it was impossible.
‘He was just so funny, everything he said would have you cracking up. Not just what he said, but how he said it.’
Thomas had been studying A-Level criminology, health and social care studies and business studies at Bedford Academy.
The friend added: ‘He’d left school recently but was really keen to come back, he kept emailing the school.
‘He was a really smart lad, he could sometimes be cheeky in class but he was never rude.’
Bedford Academy headteacher Chris Deller said the school was ‘deeply upset and shocked’ by the 17-year-old’s death.
Mr Deller said: ‘Thomas was a popular, well-liked and respected lad who finished Year 11 with a strong set of results, before going on to study at sixth form.
‘Our focus now is on supporting the family through such a difficult period, whilst helping our students and wider community to come to terms with such a tragic loss.’
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