A MAN killed in Town on Saturday night has been named as 21-year-old James Dean. Police launched a murder investigation after an incident just before 9pm outside Blackwell Jewellers in the High Street.

Eyewitnesses reported that there had been sporadic fights among a group before a knife was allegedly drawn.

An ambulance was called and transferred Mr Dean to hospital by 9.20pm, but he later died.

Chief Inspector Peter Dowding confirmed that four local men had been arrested and were currently helping police with their inquiries.

‘At around 9pm on Saturday evening there was a disturbance in the High Street. Following some sort of altercation, a group of young men ran off towards the Town Church and onto the Albert Pier.

‘They may have then made their way on foot to the South Esplanade and the Credit Suisse offices.’

When police arrived on the scene they closed the area in front of the jewellers and Clinton Cards to the public for the rest of the night. It was reopened at noon yesterday.

Police want anyone who might have been in these areas at the time and saw anything suspicious to call the incident room.

Red Onion manager Neil Darby got to the scene just after the ambulances arrived.

‘Our doormen were already outside and they saw the ambulance speed past.

‘I walked down with them and the ambulance people were already attending to him and the police were taking statements.

‘I was gobsmacked that it had happened – especially at that time of night. It wasn’t someone walking through Town on their own at two in the morning, it was still early and there were families with children walking through Town because of the regatta.’

Phil Collinson, head of operations for the Christies Group, was covering as doorman for the Budah Bar on Saturday night. He came on duty at 9.30pm and just missed the incident.

‘As I got there the police had just started cordoning the area off,’ said Mr Collinson.

‘Their forensic team were also there taking blood and other samples from the road.’

Before moving into Town, Mr Dean had been seen at the Plough Inn, Vauvert.

He had been watching football on television.

Reece Fallaize, 20, who went to Vauvert Primary School with Mr Dean, spoke to him at about 6pm.

‘I was speaking to him for about 15 minutes during the Spurs game.

‘I was just asking him what he was up to later that night and he said he was going to go to Town for a few drinks.

‘He wasn’t drinking at that point and I can’t believe what has happened.

‘It makes you think twice about going into Town at night if that can happen at that time and at that location.’

Chief Inspector Dowding added: ‘The thoughts and sympathies of Guernsey Police go out to the family, friends and colleagues of the deceased.’

* To call the police incident room dial 719494.