Tributes paid to popular shopkeeper after Eastwood attack

Tributes were paid in mosques throughout Rotherham for the alleged stabbing victim, named locally as father-of-four Parvez Iqbal, while family and friends flooded the internet with messages of condolence following the incident on Grosvenor Road, Eastwood, yesterday (15) afternoon.

Family friend, Omar Mehban, said: “The community has been shocked to its core by what has happened.

“For many, Eid celebrations have been replaced by a period of prolonged mourning.

“Parvez Iqbal was a well-known and well respected character in the community.

“He was never without a smile and kind words for everyone.”

Emergency services were called to the Grosvenor Road shortly after 2pm yesterday.

Police said there had been sightings of a man brandishing a machete in Eastwood and Rotherham town centre.

A spokeswoman said: “On arrival at the scene, one man was found dead and a second man seriously injured. The second man has been taken to hospital where he remains undergoing treatment.

“The investigation is at an early stage and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.”

A 27-year-old man was arrested by officers in the car park at Tesco, almost a mile away, on suspicion of murder and is currently in police custody.

A large police presence remains in the Grosvenor Road area. The police spokeswoman said: “Officers also want to reassure the local community that at this stage police do not believe there is any additional risk to members of the public.”