Articles | Man murdered near Oxford Circus

Oxford Street murder hunt

Published: Monday, 12 May 2008, 6:53PM

Detectives have launched a murder hunt after a man was stabbed to death in London's most famous shopping street.

The 22-year-old victim, was attacked in broad daylight in Oxford Street and his heart had stopped when paramedics reached him.

It is believed he was stabbed after leaving a branch of McDonald's about 100 yards from Oxford Circus underground station in the direction of the Centre Point building.

The man was rushed to St Thomas' hospital by ambulance shortly after the attack at 4.45pm on Monday, when the area was thronged with shoppers and tourists.

The victim, who has not been formally identified, was pronounced dead later.

A Met Police spokesman said: "At this stage we believe the victim was in McDonald's and then came outside where he was involved in an altercation. We then believe he was stabbed. A post mortem will be carried out at a later date."

Police cordoned off a section of Oxford Street while they began a murder inquiry.

They have not yet made any arrests but they believe they have found the murder weapon.

A witness said: "I just heard the screaming and then saw a couple of black guys run past us."

A spokesman for McDonald's said: "Obviously all members of staff that were on duty at the time of the incident will speak to the police as part of the ongoing investigation."

Transport for London said they had to divert the 7, 8, 10, 25, 55, 73, 98, 176 and 390 bus routes as a stretch of Oxford Street remained closed on Monday night.