Bradford murder suspect pictured after mother stabbed to death while pushing baby in pram

A nationwide manhunt continued on Monday after a young mother was stabbed to death in front of her child in Bradford.

The 27-year-old woman was pushing her five-month-old son in a stroller on a shopping trip when she was attacked by a suspicious man who then fled.

She later died in hospital. West Yorkshire Police have issued an alert for any sightings of Habibur Masum, 25, who is from Oldham and known to the woman.

Officers urged anyone who sees Masum not to approach him but to call 999 immediately.

A knife was recovered from the scene and the child is unharmed.

Masum, a blogger from Bangladesh, moved to the UK to study for a master’s degree in digital marketing at the University of Bedfordshire, according to his LinkedIn profile.

He has occasionally chronicled his life on social media, with posts showing him shopping for clothes in Primark and traveling around Europe.

According to witnesses, the woman was stabbed four to five times in the neck while waiting outside Westgate International Food for a friend who was inside at 3.20pm on Saturday.

Shopkeeper Geo Khan, 69, ran outside when he heard screams and found the woman face down in a pool of blood.

He tried to revive the dying woman, who was also a customer.

“We turned it around,” Mr Khan said. “There was a lot of blood and I checked for a pulse but couldn’t find one.

“I could see the knife wounds to the neck and tried to do CPR. Her friend was screaming.

“A doctor was driving by and stopped to help. She took my pulse and got a sheet to put over her until the ambulance came.”

Detectives issued CCTV footage and a photograph of Masum, who was wearing a duffle coat with three large horizontal grey, white and black stripes, light blue or gray sweatpants with a small black emblem on the left pocket and brown trainers .

A witness also said they saw him wearing a gray hoodie with the hood up.

Masum, described as a thin Asian man, is believed to have links to the Burnley and Chester areas.

A neighboring force, Greater Manchester Police, posted the appeal on their social media channels on Monday morning.

Chief Inspector Stacey Atkinson, from West Yorkshire’s homicide squad, said: “We have had significant resources to follow a number of lines of inquiry to locate Habibur Masum, but his whereabouts are unknown at this time.

“A knife was recovered from the scene but we cannot say if Habibur Masum is armed and I would urge anyone who sees him not to approach him but to call 999 immediately.

“If anyone has any information about his movements or whereabouts since 3.20pm on Saturday, please contact the police as a matter of urgency.

“We understand that the killing of a young woman in such shocking circumstances has caused considerable concern in the local community.

“Residents can expect to continue to see a significant police presence in Bradford as we carry out further inquiries and carry out reassurance patrols in the area.”

Naz Shah, Labor MP for Bradford West, called the killing “truly shocking” and sent his condolences to the woman’s family.

Any current sightings of Masum should be reported to West Yorkshire Police via 999. Any other information which could assist the investigation should be reported via Live Chat online or by calling 101 quoting log 1071 of April 6.