Staff at Skipton supermarket tackled suspect, a man aged 44, who has been arrested on suspicion of murder

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

A 30-year-old woman has died after she was stabbed in an Aldi supermarket in Skipton, North Yorkshire police have said.

Police earlier detained a suspect at the premises after the incident on Thursday afternoon. A 44-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

The suspect was tackled by staff before officers arrested him after being called to the store on Keighley Road at about 3:27pm. A police cordon remains in place while inquiries continue.

A woman who was in the shop and asked to remain anonymous said she had “never been so scared in my life”. The witness said she heard “loads of screams” then saw the woman lying on the floor and the man pinned down as “everyone screamed and ran up and down” the supermarket.

She said: “I just saw the aftermath, I was so scared I ran off. All the staff were racing about not knowing what to do.”

Police vans arrived on the scene within minutes, she added. Paramedics were also called to the store.

North Yorkshire police said the incident was not terror-related or believed to be a hate crime. The man was initially arrested on suspicion of attempted murder but the force has now launched a murder inquiry. Police said the victim’s family had been informed and were being supported by officers.

A spokesman said: “We are not in a position to identify the victim at this stage, and we urge people respect her family’s privacy and to avoid speculation and rumour on social media.”

Officers will remain overnight at the supermarket. Witnesses and anyone with information are asked to call 101. People affected by the traumatic scene can seek support from the force’s major incident response team by calling 07974745194.