Detectives have launched a homicide investigation into the “horse attack” in Altrinham, which took place outside a bar in the Goose Green area shortly after 3am on Sunday as both victims enjoyed a night out with friends, it has been announced. Greater Manchester Police. Rico Barton, 31, died a short time later in hospital, while a 17-year-old boy with “serious but not life-threatening” injuries remains in the care of doctors, according to police. A 21-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of wounding with intent, while another man, aged in his 20s, was later arrested on suspicion of wounding with intent and murder, Detective Constable Ben Ewart told a news conference on Sunday night. Paramedics found Burton and the 17-year-old with stab wounds and receiving first aid from members of the public when they arrived at the scene, Det Supt Ewart said, praising the “outstanding effort” by witnesses to help the victims. All initial evidence suggested the attack was “spontaneous” and “unplanned”, he said, lamenting that “both victims should have returned home this morning after enjoying a night out with friends”. Tributes have been paid to Burton, a relative of Fury, who made an emotional plea to end knife crime on Sunday morning. “My cousin was murdered last night, stabbed in the neck,” the two-time world heavyweight champion said on social media. “This is becoming ridiculous knife-wielding idiots. This must stop as soon as possible. “[The] The UK government needs to impose higher sentences for knife crime, it’s a pandemic and you don’t know how bad it is until it’s yours.” “Life is very precious and can be taken away very quickly, enjoy every moment. RIP RICO BURTON. May the Lord God give you a good place in heaven. See you soon.” Tyson Fury described knife crime as a “pandemic” on Sunday morning (James Chance/Getty Images) Burton, who himself won two national boxing titles while competing as a junior, was described as “probably one of the best we’ve ever seen” by one of his former trainers. “He was an absolute talent,” said Shaun Egan, of Jimmy Egan’s Boxing Academy, where Burton is said to have trained until his late teens. “He was such a good kid, he worked hard and had a great sense of humour,” Mr Egan told the Manchester Evening News. “What happened is just awful. He was just a great guy. To hear that he died like this is devastating.” Specialist officers are supporting both families, said Det Supt Ewart, who told reporters he could not confirm whether the attackers were known to the victims. “This was without doubt a senseless attack and both victims should have returned home this morning after enjoying a night out with friends,” he said. “Goose Green is a popular nightspot and would have been busy at the time, and I am appealing for anyone who was there on the night of Saturday August 20 or who has information about this incident, including photographs or video, to come forward. “In particular, any friends of either the victims or suspects who may have been with them that night and have not yet come forward. “We have increased police patrols in the area and knife crime remains a priority for Manchester Police, the devastating effect of which has been demonstrated this morning.” Anyone with information, CCTV, photographs or video relating to this incident is asked to contact police on 101 quoting incident 475 of 21/08/2022 or on 0161 856 7386 or via this link. Alternatively, members of the public can report information via www.gmp.police.uk or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
