Promising boxer Rico Burton, who was also the cousin of Heavyweight Boxing Champion Tyson Fury, was stabbed to death in the early hours of Sunday in the Goose Green area of Altrincham.
Police have arrested a 21-year-old man called Liam O’Prey at the crime scene – outside a bar in the Goose Green area in the early hours of Sunday, under the charges of killing Rico Burton, who was just 31 years old at the time of death.
Who is Liam O’Prey? Why did he kill Rico Burton
Liam O’Prey, a 21-old-man, of no fixed address, has been arrested on charges of murdering “Rico Burton”, 31, who died after being stabbed in his neck, outside a bar on a night out in Goose Green area of Altrincham.
Greater Manchester Police also said that O’Prey has been booked under the section 18 assault for attack on a 17-year-old teenager, who was found stabbed at the scene. The teen was critically injured but luckily survived after receiving life-saving first aid at the scene. He is currently in a stable condition, recovering in the hospital.
The accused, “Liam O’Prey” has been remanded in custody and will appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
Why did O’Prey kill Rico Burton
Greater Manchester Police said in their official statement that, “Rico had been watching the clash between Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk with friends and enjoying an evening out with friends when he was allegedly knifed by the accused Liam O’Prey in a ‘spontaneous’ and ‘unplanned’ attack outside the venue”.
Along with “Liam O’Prey”, a 20-year-old man was also arrested with suspicion of the murder, but has since been released on bail pending as the police investigates the incident further.
Police Organises Press Conference on the Incident
A Press Conference was organised by the Police on Sunday, August 21 by Police Superintendent Ben Ewart, he said the attack was ‘senseless’, adding that the stabbing took place ‘spontaneously’ and was ‘unplanned’.
Superintendent Ewart said that, “At around 3 AM on Sunday August 21, emergency services received multiple calls regarding a disturbance in Goose Green in Altrincham.”
After reaching the crime scene, we found a 17-year-old male and a 31-year-old man with stab wounds receiving first aid from members of the public before police officers and paramedical staff took over. The superintendent praised all the people who had given first aid at the crime scene.
Both the males were taken to Manchester Royal Infirmary, where sadly the 31-year-old man, who was identified as “Rico Burton” succumbed to his injuries and died. The police officer also confirmed that the 17-year-old boy remains in the hospital having ‘serious but not life-threatening’ injuries.
Police Urges Eye Witnesses to Share Details
Appealing Eye Witnesses to share details about the incident, Superintendent Ewart said “Goose Green is a popular nightspot and would have been busy at the time and I appeal for anyone who was there overnight on Saturday August 20 or anyone with information about this incident including phone photograph footage or videos to come forward, in particular any friends of any of the victims or suspects who may have been out with them that night who has not yet come forward.”
”We have increased police controls in the area and knife crime remains a priority for Greater Manchester Police, the devastating effects of which have been demonstrated this morning,” he added.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged by the police to call on 0161 856 7386 quoting incident 475 of 21/08/2024.
Tyson Fury Pays Tribute to Late Cousin; Rico Burton
Sharing condolences on the murder of his cousin “Rico Burton,” The two-time heavyweight champion “Tyson Fury” shared a post on his official Instagram handle.
He wrote, this needs to stop. ASAP, the UK government needs to bring higher sentencing for knife crime, it’s a pandemic and you don’t know how bad it is until it’s one of your own!
“Life is very precious and it can be taken away very quickly. Enjoy every moment. RIP RICO BURTON. May the lord god grant you a good place in heaven. See you soon,” he concluded.
