A 10-year-old boy has been arrested over the death of an elderly man who was found with a head injury, police said.
Officers were alerted by an ambulance crew at 6.19pm yesterday after attending a 79-year-old man in Back Hill Top Avenue in the Harehills area of Leeds.
A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said a 10-year-old boy had been arrested in connection with the incident. The pensioner was taken to Leeds General Infirmary for treatment but was pronounced dead a short time later.
It is understood the victim lived in the street where the incident happened. Heis yet to be formally identified, police said.
Neighbours in Harehills, to the north-east of Leeds city centre, have spoken of their shock at the man’s death and the arrest of the boy.
Liaqat Ali, manager of the Abubakar supermarket on nearby Roundhay Road, said the victim was a regular customer and that he had seen him on Sunday.
He said: “The old gentleman used to come to the shop all the time, God rest his soul. I’ve been here for 10 years and he’d been living in the area at least that long. I think he had a son.
“I saw the old man walking around yesterday afternoon, but I didn’t speak to him. He was quite well-known in the area. Everyone’s surprised that this has happened. I’m shocked they’ve arrested a little kid.
“The police were around here until quite late last night, but we didn’t see or hear anything. I only found out what had happened this morning.”
West Yorkshire Police are appealing for information about the man’s death. Any witnesses are asked to contact officers from the homicide and major inquiry team on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.