Birmingham in mourning at fatal stabbing of 12-year old as loved ones say 'we hope you find peace'

Birmingham residents are in mourning today after a 12-year-old boy was fatally stabbed in an after-school attack yesterday, January 21. Schoolboy Leo Ross sustained serious injuries in the attack on Scribers Lane, Hall Green, at around 3pm yesterday.

Leo was rushed to hospital but died as a result of a stab wound to his stomach, despite the best efforts of members of the public and emergency services. A 14-year-old boy was arrested at 7pm on January 21 on suspicion of murder and was also in custody over an unrelated, serious attack on a pensioner on January 19.

Leo was described by devastated members of the community as a "gentle and really kind-hearted." Shocked Hall Green residents and business spoke to BirminghamLive at the scene today on Scribers Lane as bereft school mates and loved ones left signs to Leo saying "we hope you find peace."

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In a major statement, Birmingham's chief police commander, supt Richard North spoke of the "chaotic and absolutely traumatic" scene at yesterday's fatal attack.

Addressing the media under a railway bridge close to the scene on Scribers Lane, Supt North said: "It was incredibly distressing for members of the public and paramedics and officers who did everything they could.

"I would ask the public not to speculate what happened, this is very early stages of the enquiry." The top city officer added that detectives were "working around the clock to get to the truth of what happened."

He explained: "I would urge anyone who was in the area at 3:40pm to get in touch with us to let us know if they saw anything unusual or just to let us know they were in the area." Mr North described the 14-year-old in custody as “a key line of inquiry” and his arrest as “significant”.

You can read more from that press conference in our live coverage, here. A complex and expansive scene was in place in Hall Green throughout Wednesday.

BirminghamLive spoke to residents and businesses who shared their shock at last night’s fatal attack. Mr Parmar, a resident of 42 years, said: “I’ve been here 42 years, the area has changed.

"There’s no respect for people anymore, there’s a lack of respect everywhere you can see it everywhere.”

Faizal Bharde, who works at Select and Save, which is close to Leo's school, said his shop gets "packed" with schoolchildren.

There was a huge sense of sadness as members of the school community and local residents laid down flowers at the police cordon. Diane Henson, executive headteacher of Christ Church C of E Secondary Academy, 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." Heartfelt messages left at the scene read: "Fly high, Leo"

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."

One local mum, whose son went to school with Leo, said: “He was a gentle, really kind-hearted boy that was never horrible to anyone. That was my son’s words.

“He said he didn’t have a bad bone in his body.”

She said of the stabbing and the victim’s age: “It’s shocking – it’s a horrible world. I worry for my son. He’s really upset and distressed and he’s scared. Him and his friends used to hang around here.”

Justice Secretary and Birmingham MP Shabana Mahmood also shared her devastation. Mahmood, MP for Birmingham Ladywood, mourned the tragedy. "Devastating news this morning that a 12-year-old has died following a stabbing in Birmingham.

"Knife crime has a life-shattering impact on victims and their families who are left to pick up the pieces." Click here to read Ms Mahmood's full statement.

For the latest from residents, city leaders, politicians and the police, read our rolling updates here.