'Fly high Leo' - Schoolboy, 12, named locally as tributes pour in at Hall Green murder scene

A boy stabbed to death a short walk away from his school has been named locally as tributes poured in at the scene. The 12-year-old, named in messages as Leo Ross, was fatally knifed near Scribers Lane in Hall Green on Tuesday afternoon, January 21.

The victim, who was a pupil at the nearby Christ Church C of E Secondary School, was found badly injured at around 3pm - school finishing time. A boy aged 14 was arrested on suspicion of murder around four hours later.

The teenager was also being questioned over a separate, unconnected assault on a woman in her 80s two days before the murder. In the 24 hours since his death, flowers and tributes have been laid at the scene.

READ MORE: The short walk to tragedy as 12-year-old's route to stab scene mapped

One brightly coloured-in note read: "We miss you Leo. Everybody does! We hope you find peace." Another read: "Rest in peace Leo Ross. You were loved by so many people."

A third said: "Fly High Leo. You will be deeply missed. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers." A fourth promised that they would "get justice."

It added: "Rest easy, you were taken too soon. Hope you're having fun up there. You will be missed and we will get justice." Dozens of colourful bouquets had been placed at one of the police cordon by the afternoon.

Earlier today, Chief Supt Richard North, commander of Birmingham Local Policing Area, urged the public not to speculate over the circumstances as he described the scene as "incredibly distressing" for officers who dealt with the tragedy.

The victim's school opened as normal today and shared its condolences to the family. In a brief statement, it said: "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."