Rotherham Murder Probe Victim Named

A murder investigation has been launched after a shopkeeper, named as Parvaiz Iqbal, was stabbed to death in Rotherham.

Emergency services were called to the Grosvenor Road area at around 2pm and found Mr Iqbal dead and a second man seriously injured, South Yorkshire Police said.

The incident follows sightings of a man brandishing a machete in Eastwood and Rotherham town centre.

A 27-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently in police custody.

South Yorkshire Police said: "The investigation is at an early stage and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

"There is a large police presence is in the area and this will remain in place to reassure residents."

The injured man has been taken to hospital where he is undergoing treatment.

Twitter users reported seeing a knifeman running through Rotherham covered in blood.

Richard Cattley wrote: "A man has just ran past me in Rotherham town centre wielding a machete covered in blood shouting move!! Police everywhere!"

He added: "All I saw him run past me with knife in hand shouting move adjacent to where the buildings are being knocked down opp market."

Omar Mehban, a local Conservative spokesman, said Mr Iqbal, who owned the shop with his brother, was in his 40s, and was married with children.

Mr Mehban said: "He was a family friend. This is such a shock and I feel really deeply for his family.

"He should be celebrating Eid tomorrow with his wife and kids - instead they are faced with this.

"He was such a wonderful person, always courteous and kind. All the times I went in his shop, I can never recall him not smiling.

"It's absolutely devastating."