Three people are being questioned by police investigating the murder of a teenage boy in north Belfast last night.
Thomas with his dog Rosie
Thomas Devlin (15), was knifed five times in the back after two men attacked him at Somerton Road late last night. Officers were called to the area at about 11.50pm.
A friend, aged 18, was also injured, although not seriously, and a 16-year-old boy managed to escape. The three had been buying sweets at a nearby petrol station. The PSNI said two men and a male juvenile have been arrested in connection with the murder.
Police cordoned off a section of the road from Lisbreen Park, and a postmortem is due to be carried out on his body later today. Detectives in North Queen Street have appealed for information.
The killing, just days after a 15-year-old girl was subjected to a sadistic double rape in west Belfast, horrified public representatives.
Alban Maginness, an SDLP Assembly member for the area, claimed violence was now rife on the city's streets. "This is an appalling act and my heart goes out to the mother, father and rest of the family," he said.
Marjorie Hawkins of the Alliance Party
"Leaving aside sectarian and paramilitary activity there has been an increase in violence. Coming so soon after the rape it paints an awful picture of the city."
Sinn Féin expressed its sympathies to the Devlin family. North Belfast MLA Gerry Kelly said: "This is a schoolboy with a very promising future, only beginning his life.
"For it to be taken away so tragically is shocking and I am sure the people of North Belfast and further afield thoughts will be with the family."
Mr Kelly added: "Unfortunately last nights attack bears the hallmarks of a sectarian one.
"The area around Fortwilliam and this section of the Antrim Road has witnessed a number of attacks over past months which are similar to this one.
"Regrettably this time of year, especially in North Belfast, sees an upsurge in attacks such as these and once again I would urge people in living area to be vigilant and mindful of their own safety."
North Belfast MP Nigel Dodds told how people were stunned at what had happened. "The death of anyone in such circumstances is deplorable but it is particularly shocking when the victim is so young," the Democratic Unionist representative said.
"The whole community will be shocked and appalled at what has happened and our sympathies go out to the family circle at this time."
The Alliance Party's Marjorie Hawkins said: "This is a truly horrifying attack and I extend my deepest sympathy to the family of the victim. The local community is in a state of shock this morning."