Five arrest have been made as a result of the incident in Eldon Lane which is just outside Bishop Auckland in County Durham.
Police responded to the scene in the small village just before 3am on Saturday morning and quickly erected a large cordon closing off the main street through Eldon Lane to all traffic.
A Durham Police spokesperson said: “Police were called to reports of a disturbance in Eldon Lane, just before 3am Saturday morning (December 14).
“A man in his 20s had been seriously injured and despite the best efforts of paramedics, was sadly declared dead at the scene.
His family are being supported by specialist officers and we would request that the public and media refrain from speculating on the circumstances surrounding the death.
“Two men and a two teenage boys have been arrested on suspicion of murder and taken into custody. A woman has also been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.
“An investigation is ongoing and the area remains cordoned off. The public are asked to avoid the area.”
The road between Spencer Street and Wilson Street as well as footpaths and open spaces remains taped off as officers conduct enquiries to fully investigate the incident.
More will be shared as it becomes available.