Boy, 15, arrested in stabbing murder probe
A 15-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murdering a teenager who was found stabbed. The victim, who was pronounced dead at the scene on grassland in the Wood End area of Coventry on Wednesday night, has been named by police as Babacar Diagne, also 15.
A post-mortem examination carried out on Thursday found that Babacar, who was living in Coventry after previously lived in Sutton Coldfield, had suffered multiple stab wounds.
West Midlands Police said the suspect was detained at an address in the Canley area of Coventry along with five other people held on suspicion of assisting an offender.
The force said Babacar was believed to have been attacked by three black males who arrived at the scene on bicycles.
The reason behind the attack is not yet clear, but detectives are working on a number of possible motives.
Detective Chief Inspector Scott Griffiths, who is leading the investigation, said: "We have a team of officers working solely on this inquiry.
"There is lots of work going on behind the scenes to understand exactly what happened and who is responsible.
"We have arrested one boy on suspicion of murder but we believe two others were directly involved in the attack that resulted in Babacar's death.
"Five other people have been arrested because we believe they were harbouring the suspect and trying to help him avoid capture.
"Let me be really clear: anyone found to be hindering our investigation by helping murder suspects lie low will be arrested and potentially be jailed."
Mr Griffiths added: "We are determined to get justice for Babacar and his family, as I'm sure the communities of Coventry are too. We are looking for offenders who have stabbed a boy to death.
"These are very dangerous individuals and we need them off the streets.
"I would urge anyone who suspects they know who's involved, or if anyone has overheard a conversation about the stabbing or saw anything suspicious near Petitor Crescent on Wednesday night, to please get in touch.
"The people responsible do not deserve protection. They have killed a child and we all collectively need to make a stand to show this is not acceptable."
Published: by Radio NewsHub