A 12-year-old boy name Leo Ross was stabbed to death in Birmingham on his way home from school.
He was found with serious injuries in Hall Green after 3pm on Tuesday.
Emergency services were called at 3.44pm and the boy was taken to hospital with stab wounds to the stomach, but later died.
A 14-year-old teenager has been arrested on suspicion of the murder.
Chief Superintendent Richard North told a press conference today that a member of the public tried to help the boy at the scene, near Scribers Lane, before emergency services arrived.
He said a passer-by had attempted to administer aid amid the ‘chaotic and absolutely traumatic scene’, adding: ‘Sadly, despite the best efforts of police officers and paramedics who treated him at the scene, he lost his life later that day at about 7.30pm.’
Mr North told reporters: ‘As a result of urgent inquiries, a boy aged 14 has been arrested. That happened at 7pm yesterday at an address in Birmingham.
‘He remains in custody and has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
School friends of the boy killed in the attack, named locally as Leo, visited the police cordon to lay flowers.
Riley, 13, was in the same class as Leo. He said: ‘He was a really nice lad. Never gets in trouble, he always attended lessons, he’s always in school. He had some friends. He’s just a quiet kid.’
Riley’s mother Christine Barton said: ‘What happened to him is really, really sad. My kids were up most of the night crying over it. They said what a sweet boy he was never ever in trouble. It’s definitely frightened my children.
‘If they feel uncomfortable going to and from school, I’m happy to drive them for a while and pick them up, because I’m worried about their safety at the moment.
‘It’s just so raw, it’s horrible. Something really, really needs to change – so many young lives have been taken.
‘I just really feel for the little boy’s mother.’
Friends said Christ Church of England Secondary Academy School, where Leo attended, held a special assembly and said prayers for the tragic youngster.
Head teacher Diane Henson described his death as a tragedy.
She said this afternoon: ‘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.
Leo’s family and school are now asking for their privacy to be respected.
Speaking after laying lowers, one emotional school pal said: ‘He was a really good kid. He was nice, always a good kid.
‘We had an assembly and we did a little worship about Leo and how he was kind and all that stuff. And we prayed for him.
‘He was a good kid, he’d always do his work. He always liked Science. And he was so nice to everyone and was always welcoming.
‘These boys, his close friends, told us what happened and he got stabbed, and I was really upset.
‘Everyone was really upset and teachers I know were really upset too.’
A mother, whose child goes to the same school, added: ‘It’s just really shocking isn’t it, because you hear about these things and then when it happens on your own doorstep in your children’s school, it’s heartbreaking.’
One note left at the scene read: ‘Rest easy, you were taken too soon.
‘Hope you’re having fun up there, you will be missed and we will get justice.’
Another wrote: ‘Rest in peace Leo Ross. You were loved by many people and your killer’s one siko.
‘I am thinking you are in a better place. I hope you are enjoying the afterlife.’
Another said: ‘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.’
