Smethwick murder suspects still in custody as tributes left at stabbing scene

West Midlands Police this morning confirmed the four murder suspects - aged 19, 19, 21 and 20 - remain in custody.

Mr Gallagher, 31 and from Smethwick, was stabbed to death in front of members of the public at West Cross Shopping Centre on Sunday.

Meanwhile three men, aged 20, 21 and 22, held on suspicion of assisting an offender and a 24-year-old man arrested on suspicion of obstructing police have all been released under investigation.

Floral tributes have been left metres away from where Mr Gallagher was stabbed just off Oldbury Road.

Interactive map of the area:

The young father was one of four people stabbed in three West Midlands knife attacks in the space of 30 hours, with one of the other attacks taking place just 100 yards away from the murder scene.

In that incident armed police were called after a man was attacked with a machete while in Solihull two people were stabbed in the same incident, including a 16-year-old boy who was knifed in the back.

In a statement Mr Gallagher's family said: "Karl was a very dearly loved son, brother, nephew, cousin and partner. He was also a proud and loving father.

"His friends and family are devastated."

Timeline of knife attacks

• Sunday, 2.40pm: Two teenagers injured in Solihull stabbing. One, a 16-year-old boy, is left critical after being knifed in the back. A 19-year-old man is also taken to hospital.

• Sunday, 4.40pm: Karl Gallagher murdered in Smethwick. Mr Gallagher, 31, is pronounced dead at West Cross Shopping Centre after being knifed in front of shoppers. Police and family members urge the public not to share shocking video footage of the attack which is posted online.

• Monday, 6pm: Man knifed at Smethwick petrol station. A man is slashed in the arm on a petrol station forecourt 100 yards away from where Mr Gallagher was killed. Armed police surround and raid a house on nearby St Paul's Road.