The Lloyds Bank customer who was stabbed to death in a city centre branch has been named locally as restaurant owner Gurvinder Singh Johal.
Mr Johal, known to friends as Danny, although his real name is Gurvinder Singh Johal, and he owns and runs the Hen and Chickens Bar and Grill restaurant in Shelton Lock.
Police were called to Lloyd’s Bank in St Peter’s Street, Derby, at around 2.30pm on Tuesday afternoon and despite an air ambulance attending, the victim, in his 30s, was pronounced dead at the scene.
His death has been called ‘senseless’ by close friend Councillor Ajit Atwal, leader of the Lib Dem group on Derby City Council, who knew him personally. He declined to give personal details because of causing further upset to the family but told DerbyshireLive the restauranteur was ‘the most hard-working and devoted family man’.
He added: ‘It’s a sad day for Derby. It makes no sense what has happened. Something must have gone terribly wrong for him to be killed in this way.
‘He was a good businessman and nothing was ever too much trouble for him. He was humble, quiet and a kind guy and would always go above and beyond for everyone.
‘His family are devastated and cannot understand what has happened. He was just getting on with his life – it’s just senseless.’
Two men, were arrested on Tuesday evening at a house of multiple occupancy in the Normanton district, less than a mile from the bank, following the horrific attack.
The Lloyds Bank customer stabbed to death in a city centre branch has been named locally as restaurant owner Gurvinder Singh Johal.
The victim, who police said was in his 30s, was using Lloyds’s services on St Peters Street on Tuesday afternoon when he was violently assaulted.
He was pronounced dead at the scene after the stabbing at around 2.35pm.
A man in his 40s was this morning being held on suspicion of murder.
Another man in his 30s was detained at the same time at the Normanton address on suspicion of assisting an offender. He also remains in custody.
Derbyshire Police said they were treating this as an isolated incident and reassured the public that no one else was hurt.
The victim has not been formally identified but his family has been made aware of his death.
A large police cordon remained in the city centre today.
The young man in his 30s was fatally stabbed at Lloyds Bank on St Peters Street on Tuesday afternoon
An air ambulance was reported to have landed near the Derby Cathedral not long after the attack.
Managers at the Lloyds bank told DerbyshireLive that they are ‘deeply saddened by the incident at our Derby branch and our thoughts are with those affected’.
‘We are supporting our colleagues during this difficult time and will co-operate closely with the police,’ they said.
The bank added that the attack was not related to an armed robbery.
Detective Inspector Tony Owen, from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit, who is leading the investigation, said: ‘We appreciate that this incident will have caused significant concern to the local community and we’d like to thank them for their patience and understanding.
‘No-one else was hurt and while the investigation is at an early stage, at this time we are treating it as an isolated incident.
‘Officers will be in the area for some time so we’d encourage anyone with any concerns to please speak to us.
‘We’d also encourage anyone with any information on this incident to please contact us as a matter of urgency.’
A police cordon remains in Derby city centre today as police investigate
The cops asked anyone with information that could help the investigation to call 101, send a private message to the Derbyshire Constabulary Facebook page, or use their online contact form and reference 25000260624.
They added that the public can also anonymously contact the independent charity CrimeStoppers, on 0800 555 111, or by visiting their website.
The force said in an earlier statement: ‘A murder investigation has been launched after a man was stabbed to death in a city centre bank.
‘The man, who was a customer, was assaulted inside the Lloyds bank in St Peter’s Street at around 2.35pm today (6 May).
‘The man, aged in his 30s, was pronounced dead at the scene. While formal identification has not taken place, his family have been made aware.
‘A significant police presence remains in the city centre and will do for some time to come.
‘Anyone with any information that can assist is asked to contact the force using the 999-emergency number with reference 678 of today.’
