A 12-year-old boy stabbed to death in Birmingham has been named by police as a teenager aged 14 was arrested on suspicion of his “appalling and senseless” murder.
Leo Ross’s headteacher paid tribute to the “lovely and bright” youngster and family said he was a “golden kid” without “a bad bone in his body”.
He died in hospital hours after he was found with a stab wound near Scribers Lane in Hall Green, in the south-east of the city at around 3pm on Tuesday.
A West Midlands Police spokesperson said the victim’s loved ones had been informed and they were being supported by specialist officers.
A relative of Leo, who asked not to be named, told the Daily Mail: “He was a really good lad, a really nice lad, cheerful, not a bad bone in his body. He’s a golden kid.”
His parents have been told the alleged assailant targeted him on the way home from school, the newspaper said.
Leo was a pupil at Christ Church C of E Secondary Academy, and executive headteacher Diane Henson described his death as a tragedy.
She said: “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.”
Detectives with the force are appealing for any information which could help in the investigation. A 14-year-old boy is still in custody.
Chief Superintendent Richard North, Birmingham Local Policing Area commander, said: “I would urge anyone who saw what happened, or who has CCTV, mobile phone or dashcam footage from the area at the time to get in touch with us as soon as possible to help us build as clear a picture as possible.
“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 fatal stabbing happened on the day that MPs were separately 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.”
Dozens of school friends visited the entrance to The Shire Country Park to lay floral and other tributes in Leo’s memory on Wednesday afternoon.
The friends also placed candles on the ground spelling out his first name.
A hand-written note attached to one tribute read: “RIP Leo Ross. We will miss you loads. Our lives won’t be the same without you.
“You will always be the kindest. Fly High Leo. You never deserved this ever.”
Another tribute read: “Fly high Leo. You will be deeply missed. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.”
Detective Inspector Joe Davenport earlier 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 us as soon as possible.”
Anyone with information can submit it on the Major Incident Public Portal established by the force here or call 101 quoting log 3324 of 21 January.
