A 12-year-old stabbed to death in an ‘appalling and senseless attack’ as he walked home from school in Birmingham has been named and pictured.
Leo Ross was found with serious injuries near Scribers Lane in Hall Green, Birmingham, around 3.15pm on Tuesday.
He pronounced dead shortly after arriving at a nearby hospital at 7.30pm. A 14-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
The teenager is also being held in connection with an assault on a woman aged in her 80s in the same area of the city on Sunday, West Midlands Police later said.Leo’s family described him as ‘the most beautiful kind child’ and “the nicest kid you would meet’ who ‘had not one aggressive bone in his body’, in a statement to BBC News.
His school, Christ Church, Church of England Secondary Academy in Yardley Wood, has also paid tribute.
Executive Headteacher Diane Henson described his death as a tragedy.
She said this afternoon: ‘Leo was a lively and happy young man.
‘He had many very good friends who he absolutely adored, and they adored him.
‘He was just a lovely and bright member of the school community.
‘We’re supporting the children at school and are opening a book of condolence with the family’s permission.
‘Our thoughts are with Leo’s family and all his friends today.’
A statement on the school’s website says: ‘Our condolences and deepest sympathies go out to the family and friends of one of our CCSA students.
‘This is a very sad time for our school community and we are focusing on supporting our students, staff and families with professional support.’
Chief Superintendent Richard North said: ‘This is an appalling and senseless attack.
‘We are doing everything we can to support the loved ones of the young boy who lost his life in such an appalling way, but we know that nothing we say or do will diminish their agony.
‘Parents around the country will hear this news and be unable to comprehend the pain they must be feeling.
‘Our hearts go out to the young boy’s family today. We will be carrying out reassurance patrols locally and if any of the community have any information or concerns, we would urge them to come forward.
‘We continue to work day in day out, with parents, schools, carers and other partners to educate young people on knife crime and its devastating consequences.
‘This work must and will continue. Today, our focus is on the family of the young boy who has lost his life in such a tragic way and ensuring we get justice for him and his family.’
The 12-year-old is believed to have been attacked near a railway bridge over Scribers Lane, which runs beside Trittiford Mill Park.
One resident was made aware of the stabbing when someone knocked on her door asking for the postcode so they could direct emergency services to the area.
The woman, who asked not to be named, said: ‘Agentleman came and asked for the postcode as somebody had been injured. He just came and knocked the door.
‘We had two police cars and then a helicopter. I found out somebody had been stabbed last night but it wasn’t till this morning that I realised the poor little soul had died.’
West Midlands Police said in a statement: ‘We are continuing to appeal for any information which could help in our investigation.‘We have set up our major incident public portal (MIPP) where members of the public can submit photos or video evidence.’
Detective Inspector Joe Davenport, from the West Midlands Police major crime unit, said: ‘We’re urgently reviewing CCTV and speaking to witnesses as we work to understand what happened and why, and who was responsible.
‘If you were in the area at the time and saw what happened, or think you may have captured any part of what happened on dashcam or mobile phone, it’s vital you get in touch with as soon as possible.’
The fatal stabbing happened on the day that MPs were told following the Southport murders that a ban on knife sales to under-18s has not proved effective.
The sale of knives with a fixed blade of more than three inches long to under-18s is illegal in England and Wales, with retailers facing fines or prosecution if they breach the law.
But Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has revealed that Southport killer Axel Rudakubana was ‘easily able to order a knife on Amazon’, when he was still aged 17 and had been convicted over violence.
She told MPs: ‘That’s a total disgrace and it must change. So, we will bring in stronger measures to tackle knife sales online in the Crime and Policing Bill this spring.’KINDLY CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHATSAPP COMMUNITY FOR FREE, GET THE LATEST ON THE GO HERE