A 20-year-old man has died after being attacked by a group of people outside a café in Kyzylorda, Kazakhstan.

According to the victim’s sister, the incident occurred on October 8, when the young man, identified as Alexander, was spending time with friends at a café, Tengrinews.kz reports.

A dispute reportedly broke out between one of Alexander’s friends and a local DJ. After the argument, the DJ called acquaintances to the scene.

Alexander had gone outside to smoke when he was reportedly attacked by a group of eight or nine people. He sustained stab wounds to his back, chest, and heart.

Despite doctors’ efforts to save him, Alexander died in intensive care.

The Kyzylorda Region Police Department confirmed that a murder investigation had been launched following the October 8 incident.

“Three suspects have been detained and placed in a temporary detention facility. All seized video recordings have been examined. Information regarding the possible involvement of other individuals is being verified,” the department said in a statement.

Police added that the role and degree of involvement of each person under investigation would be legally assessed once the investigation is complete.