Elon Musk has reportedly pledged support for the family of a British student after learning of a case in which police allegedly handcuffed a severely injured stabbing victim instead of immediately treating him as a victim.
According to reports cited in the article, on December 8, 2025, 18-year-old Southampton University student Henry Novak was returning home after a party with his football team when he was attacked by 23-year-old Vikrum Singh Digva, who allegedly used a ceremonial Sikh knife and inflicted multiple stab wounds.
Novak reportedly attempted to flee while bleeding heavily.
“I Can’t Breathe”
According to the account, the suspect allegedly told officers that Novak had directed racial insults at him. Police are said to have accepted the accusation at the scene and handcuffed the injured student.
Witness accounts cited in the article say Novak repeatedly pleaded for help.
“I’ve been stabbed. I can’t breathe,” he reportedly told officers.
The article claims that one officer responded:
“I don’t think so, mate.”
It further states that only after Novak lost consciousness did officers begin CPR and call for medical assistance. He later died from his injuries.
Medical reports cited in the article reportedly indicated that Novak had consumed alcohol but was not intoxicated above legal driving limits.
Musk Calls the Incident “Immoral”
On May 19, 2026, Musk reacted to the story on X, calling it:
“Immoral.”
He then reportedly offered financial support for legal action:
“I would gladly fund a wrongful death lawsuit against these disgusting law-enforcement lackeys. They should be fired.”
Musk also wrote:
“This poor boy was running away from the person who stabbed him and stole his phone, but police in Britain attacked him instead of his killer.”
Political Reactions
Robert Jenrick from Reform UK reportedly described the case as “a damning indictment of modern policing.”
Tommy Robinson called it evidence of what he described as “institutional cowardice” within British policing.
Social media users have also raised questions about police actions during the incident, particularly regarding the decision to restrain someone suffering severe injuries.
Debate Over Media Coverage
The article draws comparisons to the case of George Floyd, noting similarities in the phrase “I can’t breathe.”
Critics cited in the text argue that the level of media attention has been significantly different and describe this as evidence of double standards in coverage.
The claims and interpretations surrounding the incident remain politically charged, and public debate has focused both on police conduct and on broader issues including policing practices, migration, and media treatment of high-profile cases.
