A mother who was stabbed to death while pushing her baby in a pram was “very caring and humble,” a relative has said – as police arrested a suspect in the murder investigation.
Kulsuma Akter, 27, from Oldham, died after being stabbed in Westgate, Bradford, at the junction with Drewton Road at around 3.20pm on Saturday.
She was rushed to hospital but later died from her injuries.
Video footage has now emerged of the aftermath of the stabbing showing Ms Atker’s baby in a pram – unharmed and unaware of the tragedy – while being looked after by police and her mother’s friends.
Police launched a manhunt for a suspect they later named as Habibur Masum.
The 25-year-old has now been arrested on suspicion of murder.
Ms Akter’s cousin, Aftab Miah, said she was going out to buy some food to break her Ramadan fast when she was attacked.
“One of our friends was with her [when she was killed],” the 57-year-old taxi driver told Sky News.
“My aunt [the victim’s mother] is constantly crying. She doesn’t need this. The friend who was with Kulsuma [when she was attacked] is in a state of shock.”
Near the scene of the stabbing in Bradford city centre
Describing his cousin, he added: “She was a loving sister. She was very caring and humble. She made people laugh.”
Masum, from Oldham, was taken into custody in the early hours of this morning, more than 150 miles away in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.
Previously in the investigation, a 23-year-old man was also arrested in Cheshire on suspicion of assisting an offender.
He remains in custody.
Read more:
Hunt for cat killer after family pet shot in Bridge of Allan attack
Boy died after truck towing water bowser ‘slipped’ down hill
The stabbing took place in broad daylight in the city centre
Police previously conducted a “number of raids” across Burnley, Oldham, and Chester as part of the investigation into the stabbing.
Due to police having contact with the victim prior to her death, West Yorkshire Police has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
Ms Akter’s family are being supported by specially trained officers.
Detective Chief Inspector Stacey Atkinson, of West Yorkshire Police, said: “This is a tragic incident in which a mother has lost her life in the most horrific of circumstances.
“We understand that this has caused a considerable amount of concern in the local community. Local Neighbourhood Policing teams are patrolling the area conducting reassurance to the community.
“We would like to thank Thames Valley Police for their support and assistance in this matter.”
