Classmate says stabbing boy was ‘kind and helpful’

A classmate of a 12-year-old boy who was stabbed to death in Birmingham has described him as kind, helpful and welcoming and has issued a tribute.

Leo Ross was found near Scribbers Lane in the Hall Green area of ​​the city at around 15:40 GMT on Tuesday. He was stabbed in the stomach and died in hospital a few hours later.

A 14-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of murder. He was also suspected of being involved in an unrelated attack on an 80-year-old woman on January 19 and was detained in that case, police said.

Hana, who was in the same class as Leo at Christ Church C of E Secondary Academy, said of his passing: “I think it’s really sad and funny that it’s happened.”

Remembering his classmate on BBC Radio WM, he said: “(He) just did his job and kept working and (he) was helpful and very welcoming. It’s upsetting that he passed away.” It is done.”

Hana’s mother Saima said her death was “devastating” and called for “something to be done” about knife crime.

“I can’t imagine what the parents are going through,” she said.

“It’s very scary because you send your child to school in the morning and never think that they will never come back. That thought is very devastating and scary.”

Speaking to BBC Midlands Today, a woman said her children described Leo as a “lovely, caring, innocent little boy” who did not deserve what happened to him.

“He was in the wrong place at the wrong time,” he said.

Leo’s family said he was making a 10-minute walk from home when the attack occurred and described it on Wednesday As in “witty, sweet and didn’t have a single offensive bone in his body”.

Flowers and messages have been left at the scene on Scribbers Lane.

Dianne Henson, chief executive of Leo School in Yardley Wood, Birmingham, described him as a “loved and bright member of the school community”, adding that he had many friends who loved him.

West Midlands Police has said officers will be carrying out patrols locally to reassure residents.

There have been a number of high-profile cases of knife crime involving youth in the West Midlands over the past six months.

In June 2024, Two 12-year-old boys found guilty of murder of Shawn Sisahai With a knife in Wolverhampton.

In November 2024, a 15 year old boy accused of murder After a 17-year-old boy was stabbed in Marston Green.

A 15 year old boy charged with attempted murder On 5 January, following the stabbing of a 14-year-old boy in Oldbury.

West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster said youth violence and knife crime were being tackled through “stronger policing” and investment in prevention, including education programs in schools.

He said there had been a decline in related crimes in the area, which he described as “welcome”.

He told BBC Radio WM: “But I and neither are West Midlands Police at all complacent about this. One victim of youth violence and knife crime is just one of many.”

“We all, collectively as a sector, have to commit to sustained and sustained action to prevent and tackle youth violence and knife crime to save the lives of our young people and our vulnerable (people).”