Murder investigation launched after teenager dies in Birmingham stabbing

A murder investigation has been launched by police after a teenager died after sustaining serious stab injuries in Birmingham city centre.

West Midlands Police said they had received reports of an incident at Victoria Square on Saturday (January 20th).

Officers arrived to the area to find a 17-year-old victim requiring medical attention close to the Floozie in the Jacuzzi, outside the city's council building at around 3:30pm.

First responders were able to give the victim emergency medical treatment, but was soon rushed to hospital with serious injuries. However, despite their best efforts, the boy was later pronounced dead.

Following the incident, a police cordon has been put in place as the force tries to piece together the events leading up to the stabbing.

Investigations are now taking place at the scene, with police tape covering the fountain and the staircase heading towards New Street. A footpath close to Victoria Square has also been cordoned off by West Midlands Police.

Eyewitnesses said they had seen the victim laying on a bench whilst emergency services were en route to give them medical attention.

Before emergency services arrived, the area was reported not to be filled with commotion and panic only set in when officers rushed to attend to the victim.

West Midlands Police are now appealing for anyone with information to get in touch as they continue their enquiries.

Chief Inspector James Spencer, from the Birmingham Local Policing Area, said: "The life of a 17-year-old boy has tragically been taken away and all our thoughts are with his family and friends at this awful time.

"It's very early stages in the investigation but we have a team of skilled detectives who are working to identify, and arrest, whoever did this.

"We fully understand the shock and concern this will cause, and although it is being treated as an isolated incident a visible police presence will remain across the city centre."

The force are particularly keen to speak to anyone who may have seen the stabbing occur or was in the area on Saturday afternoon in the lead-up to emergency services arriving at the scene.

Anyone with any relevant information is being urged to get in touch with the force as soon as possible, quoting incident reference number 2619 from January 20th.

Hear the latest news on Downtown on FM, DAB, smart speaker or the Rayo app.

• victoria square