Boy, 12, stabbed to death in Birmingham named - after 14-year-old arrested on suspicion of murder

A "lively and happy" 12-year-old boy who was fatally stabbed in Birmingham has been named by police.

Leo Ross died in hospital on Tuesday evening, hours after he was found injured near Scribers Lane in the Hall Green area of the city shortly after 3pm.

A 14-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is still in custody.

Leo, who was stabbed in the stomach, was a pupil at Christ Church C of E Secondary Academy.

Executive headteacher Diane Henson described his death as a tragedy.

Victim was 'lovely and bright'

Ms Henson 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."

Dozens of Leo's school friends were among those leaving flowers and messages near the scene of the attack in tribute to him.

Candles were also placed on the ground spelling out his first name.

'We will miss you loads'

A handwritten 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."

Also, a message said: "To Leo. Rest in peace you sweet soul. You didn't deserve this angel."

Other notes said Leo would be "forever 12" and featured a message expressing hope that he would find peace.

The 14-year-old suspect was arrested at 7pm on Tuesday at an address in Birmingham.

Suspect also detained over separate incident

Chief superintendent Richard North said the same teenager was also arrested in connection with an assault on a woman in her 80s on Sunday, in what he called an "unrelated matter".

Mr North described Tuesday's deadly attack as an "absolutely appalling incident" and said detectives were "working round the clock" to get to the truth of what happened.

Police have urged anyone who may know something about the incident to come forward.

It comes a day after Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said tougher measures would be introduced to tackle knife sales online after 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."

The sale of knives with a fixed blade of more than three inches long to under-18s is illegal in England and Wales.

(c) Sky News 2025: Boy, 12, stabbed to death in Birmingham named - after 14-year-old arrested on suspicion of murder