An English rugby player has been killed in a horrific mass stabbing attack outside a nightclub

He was only 35 years old.

According to Devon & Cornwall Police, the attack happened at 3:15am – just minutes after attendees exited Eclipse Nightclub in Cornwall.

Police said that when officers arrived at the scene, they found eight people, including Allen, suffering from stab wounds. Police said Allen’s death was announced at the scene. The other seven victims, including both men and women, were rushed to a nearby hospital. Five of them have since been released.

No motive for the stabbings has been publicly revealed yet…but cops say they have arrested a 24-year-old man in connection with the attack.

Meanwhile, Allen’s tributes poured in from all over… including from Bodmin Rugby Club – whom he described as “a huge part of our team”.

“His humor and kindness touched us all and we will miss him very much,” the team said in a statement, adding on Monday that a memorial to the slain player had been erected outside their club. Our thoughts are with Mike’s family at this devastating time.

In a statement of their own, Allen’s family said, “Mike was just such a loving son, brother, grandson, and uncle who loved his dogs. His family would respectfully request privacy at this time.”