A 15-year-old boy was reportedly killed in the attack on Friday on Reapers Walk in Pendeford, Wolverhampton.
Police are digging a canal and searching social media for videos that were shared online related to the fatal stabbing of a 15-year-old boy in a Wolverhampton suburb. A 16-year-old boy and 46-year-old woman both from Wolverhampton were arrested; the boy on suspicion of murder and the woman on suspicion of assisting an offender. While the 16-year-old remains in custody, the 46-year-old has been released pending further inquiries.
"A 16-year-old boy arrested on suspicion of murder remains in our custody at this time after we were granted a magistrate’s extension, giving us further time to question him. A woman, aged 46, who we arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender has been released pending further inquiries,” police spokesperson confirmed.
Emergency services were called to reports of an injured child near a canal bridge over the Shropshire Union Canal at Reapers Walk, just before 4:15 p.m. on Friday, however, nothing could be done to save him. West Midlands Police is also working to interview a group of people who were standing near a takeaway before the stabbing. The victim was reportedly part of a group of people standing outside Pendeford Fish Bar, The Haymarket, at about 3:40 p.m.
On Sunday, a specialist underwater search was also made. The spokesperson for East Midlands Police also added, "The ambulance service called us just before 4:15 p.m. to say that they were treating an injured child near to a canal bridge on Reapers Walk, Pendeford. Sadly, the boy passed away, and a murder investigation was immediately launched."
Officers believed that a video showing some of the incidents was posted on Snapchat and are investigating and attempting for it to be sent to them. "We also believe that a video showing some of the incident was posted on Snapchat. The video is vital to our investigation and we’re appealing for anyone with a copy of it to send it in, or let us know which accounts it was shared by. Our thoughts remain with the boy’s family and friends whose lives have been forever changed."
Authorities are also urging witnesses to come forward as soon as possible. "Anyone who saw what happened and has not yet spoken to us should contact us urgently via Live Chat on the right of your screen. If you have a copy of the video, and need to send it to us you should email the investigation team directly on homicide_t5@westmidlands.police.uk. Remember – if you want to remain 100 per cent anonymous you can contact Crimestoppers instead. Tell them what you know, not who you are. Please quote reference number 2838 of May 27. Knife crime must stop. Please help us. Visit Life or Knife to see how you can help."
