Two men have been arrested on suspicion of murder after footballer Ezekiel Williams, 26, died following an early-hours street assault in Milton Keynes. A third man was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. All three, aged 21, 28, and 30 and from Luton, remain in custody.
Williams was seriously injured in an altercation on Midsummer Boulevard just before 2 a.m. on November 1. He passed away in hospital on Monday afternoon, ten days after scoring his first goal for his club, Hendon FC.
Thames Valley Police are conducting a thorough investigation and have increased their presence in the city center. Detective Inspector Rob Underhill urged anyone who was in the area between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. on November 1 to come forward, particularly those with mobile phone footage, dash-cam footage, or CCTV recordings.
Hendon FC expressed shock and heartbreak over the death of Williams, who they described as a "humble, unassuming and generous individual with a razor-sharp wit." The club statement noted that Williams joined in September and quickly became a popular member of the team, impressing with his hard-working displays. Hendon's London Senior Cup match against Woodford Town has been postponed.
Williams, known as Eze, also played for FC Romania, Northwood, and Harrow Borough. Kettering Town FC paid tribute to his leadership qualities, kindness, and inspirational nature. A GoFundMe fundraiser has been set up in his memory, with organizers describing him as a "truly special son, brother and friend" known for his willingness to help others and his infectious positivity. He reportedly dreamed of becoming a professional football player and worked diligently towards that goal.