SHOCKED friends have paid tribute to a man whose death has sparked a murder probe.
The dead man, named locally as 25-year-old dad Karl Smith, is believed to have died after he had a fit at his home on Broughton Avenue, Bentley, Doncaster - following an alleged assault near The Drum pub on Watch House Lane.
Yesterday, friends laid flowers and left messages outside both the pub and Karl’s home, just a few dozen yards from The Drum.
Uniformed police officers stood guard at both locations while scenes of crime officers in white overalls went in and out of the pub.
Bentley resident Nicola Robinson, who knew Karl through his partner Andrena, said: “I knew him from around the area. He was a popular lad, and a good dad from what I heard. I was shocked when I heard about what had happened.
“I can’t believe something like that has happened to a nice man.”
A neighbour on Broughton Avenue, who did not want to be named, said: “I can’t believe what has happened. He was a good neighbour.”
Residents said the pub had a good reputation among residents.
Derek Carr, of Watch House Lane, said: “It is not something that happens often around here - it is the kind of thing that happens on the news in other areas.
“There isn’t much trouble at that pub. It is a popular pub and it certainly doesn’t have a bad reputation.”
Leeds football shirts appeared among the tributes, including one next to Karl’s home which carried the words ‘Karl Smith - Legend’ in large letters.
Police said the victim was believed to have been involved in an altercation, was found collapsed, and subsequently died. Officers yesterday confirmed he had suffered head injuries.
A post mortem examination has been carried out, but further tests are required before the cause of death can be established.
An 18-year-old arrested on suspicious of murder has been released on police bail.