Seven arrests made in Shrewsbury murder inquiry
Two more suspects were arrested today by police conducting a murder inquiry into the death of a 23-year-old Shrewsbury man. A total of seven young men have now been arrested in connection with the death.
The man, named as Jason Cooke - who is widely known as Scott Cooke, was pronounced dead at 6.55pm on Tuesday night, shortly after arriving at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.
Police say he was stabbed during a confrontation and fight involving up to 20 young men at the Monkmoor Recreation Ground, Shrewsbury just after 6pm on Tuesday.
Detective Chief Inspector Dave Andrews, the senior investigating officer, said: "We have arrested two more people this morning on suspicion of murder. Both are men in their late twenties and they were detained at an address in Shrewsbury shortly before 8am."
Of the seven arrested in connection with the incident, five are on suspicion of murder. One of these has been given police bail while inquiries continues. Another man was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder and one on suspicion of assisting an offender.
Police have been given an extension to continue interviewing those in custody throughout today.
DCI Andrews today repeated his appeal for witnesses to come forward, especially the men who were present during the incident at the Monkmoor Recreation Ground.
"I am pleased that a number of people, including some who were present at the time, have already contacted the police. But I stress again, it is vitally important everyone who was anywhere near the incident on Tuesday night, contacts Shrewsbury police station on 101 as a matter of urgency.
"I am confident we will eventually trace all those who were there and my appeal is to get in touch with the police now rather than have officers knocking on your door in the coming days.
"It is essential we speak to everyone who witnessed any of the circumstances to help us establish the full facts behind this incident," he added.
A post mortem was conducted yesterday by Home Office pathologist Dr Sacha Kolar.
Tributes Paid
Tributes have been paid to Mr Cooke with a number of floral tributes, facebook messages and twitter posts.
Local residents close to where the confrontation occured at the Monkmoor Recreation Ground have also spoken of the sadness and shock of the incident.
