Two boys arrested as 16-year-old is stabbed to death in Birmingham
Two boys – the youngest being 12 – are among three people to have been arrested after a 16-year-old was fatally stabbed near a city petrol station.
The victim, believed to be local, was found stabbed in Nursery Road, near Burbury Street, in the Lozells area of Birmingham on Tuesday.
Witnesses describing hearing gunshots nearby on Tuesday evening before the the teen was discovered at around 6.30pm.
Armed response officers performed CPR until ambulance staff arrived but nothing could be done to save him and he died at the scene.
The boy's family have been informed and are being supported by specialist liaison officers. A post-mortem examination will be carried out.
The Hockley Service Station was cordoned off by officers after the incident, with cars on the forecourt and buses stuck trapped at the scene.
Two boys aged 12 and 15 have been arrested for violent disorder and a 19-year-old man is in hospital with an arm injury, but remains under arrest on suspicion of murder. The three will be questioned in due course, police said.
Roads remain closed in the area as investigations continue and people will see an increased police presence in the area over the coming days.
Detective Inspector Laura Harrison, from the force's homicide team, said: “Our officers have worked through the night to speak to witnesses, and gather evidence and CCTV. We have made good progress, but it is still too early to say if this is connected in any way to other incidents in the last few days.
“We know there were others involved and we need to speak to anyone with information who hasn’t already spoken to us.
“This community is understandably shaken by the death of a teenage boy in broad daylight. This violence on our streets has to stop and we will continue to work them to disrupt and deter violent crime.”
Chief Inspector James Spencer, responsible for policing in Birmingham, said: “We’re asking for calm within our communities. Murder is the most devastating crime which causes significant distress for the families and friends of the loved one they have lost, the wider community and us as officers who investigate these tragic circumstances.
“We’re dedicated to providing the most compassionate and respectful support during our investigation to the victims’ families as we recognise this is often during their very worst times. We always want to find those responsible and seek to charge and put them before the courts.
“We work closely with a range of partners to try and better understand violence and why it is present within our society with a view to warning people of the dangers and heart-breaking consequences."
People who saw what happened or who has CCTV or mobile phone footage have been urged to get in touch with the force via live chat, or by calling 101 quoting 3492 of July 12. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
