Murder investigation continues after man killed in brutal attack outside pub
A murder investigation is under way after a man was killed in a brutal attack outside a pub in Sedgley.
Police believe the 24-year-old, named locally as Reece Cox, may have been attacked after he tried to intervene in a fight outside The Clifton Wetherspoon pub in Bull Ring just before midnight on Saturday.
Three ambulances were sent after being called by police but nothing could be done to save him and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Tributes have been paid to Mr Cox online but he is yet to be officially named by West Midlands Police. His family have been informed.
Meanwhile officers have urged people not to share video footage circulating online which shows a group of men attacking a man outside the pub on Saturday evening.
"We would urge people not to share the video as this can only cause further upset to the grieving family," Dudley police wrote on Twitter.
"Anyone who does have images of the incident is urged to get in touch and pass them on to detectives as soon as possible."
So far no arrests have been made.
Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon said that the man who died was attacked by a group of men shortly after the same group beat somebody else up.
He said none of the people involved had been inside the pub, which reopened on Monday morning.
“The pub’s CCTV shows a group of males by the taxi rank at the side of the pub attacking another male," Mr Gershon explained.
“The individual managed to get away and ran to the front of the pub where he was let in for his own safety.
“The group then started attacking another male. Once the group dispersed, door staff at the pub went to assist him on the floor putting him in the recovery position.
“No members of the group or the two men who were attacked had been in the pub.
“Police have viewed the CCTV from the pub. We extend our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the individual who passed away.”
A blue tent was in place on the Bull Ring on Sunday and police taped off the road including the High Street.
Meanwhile detectives are urging anyone who may have information to get in contact.
Det Insp Laura Harrison, of West Midlands Police CID, said: "Our thoughts are with the family of this young man who has sadly lost his life.
“We are in the early stages of our investigations but we understand he may have tried to intervene in a fight when he was fatally injured.
"I believe the community of Sedgley will respond as we appeal for anyone we have not yet spoken with and who may information about what happened last night to get in touch with us."
Harinder Singh, owner of nearby Virk Wines in Dudley Street, said he was left "shocked" by the incident.
"We are shocked, it is terrible," he added. "We closed at about 11pm on Saturday night then came back this morning.
"I've been here one year and I've not heard of it happening before."
Temporary Superintendent Jason Anderson, of the Dudley Neighbourhood team said officers would be patrolling the area in the coming days to reassure the local community.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: "Three ambulances, a paramedic officer and a MERIT trauma doctor attended and arrived to find a man in a critical condition.
"Ambulance staff administered advanced life support on scene but sadly, despite best efforts, nothing could be done to save the man and he was confirmed dead on scene a short time later."
Anyone with information is asked to contact police online, by calling 101 or by contacting Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting crime number 20DY/194445N/20.
