A teenager has been stabbed to death in a town centre before people were seen ‘fleeing the scene’ sparking a police manhunt.
The 16-year-old was knifed in Lower Parade, Sutton Coldfield at around 3.30pm on Thursday.
Police and paramedics raced to the scene, outside a McDonald’s restaurant, but the boy was pronounced dead.
Witnesses have told how several people ran from the scene in the moments after the fatal blows.
West Midlands Police said in a statement: ‘Several people were seen fleeing the area after the disorder and officers are appealing for anyone who may have seen anything to come forward.’
Witnesses said the attack happened in front of ‘loads of school kids’ at a popular gathering place for youngsters after school.
Those local to the area said buses are caught to go home from outside the fast food restaurant.
One woman said paramedics were working on the boy for around ’40 minutes’.
The murder scene in Sutton Coldfield this afternoon after a 16 year old male was found stabbed to death
Joy Lynch posted Facebook: ‘Was shopping in the Parade when this happened, there is no fear of being recognised and complete disregard for anyone else around.
‘The area was packed with shoppers and school children waiting for buses.
‘They (gangs) do not fear the police, so extra policing isn’t the answer.
‘I hope someone does know how to stop this as it’s out of control.’
Detective Chief Inspector Edward Foster added: ‘It is tragic that someone so young has lost their life and our thoughts are with his loved ones at this devastating time.
‘We are striving to establish the circumstances around the stabbing, but believe there was a disorder just beforehand.
‘With this being a busy area, we believe there will be a number of people who may have vital information to assist our enquiries. I would urge anyone who hasn’t spoken to officers to contact us.’
An ambulance, a paramedic officer, the West Midlands Central Accident Resuscitation Emergency (CARE) team medics and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Tatenhill responded to the scene, West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) said.
The area has been sealed off for investigations to be carried out.
Police and paramedics rushed to Lower Parade in Sutton Coldfield but the boy was pronounced dead at the scene
Sutton Coldfield police taped off Lower Parade after a boy was found with stab injuries on Thursday afternoon
A WMAS spokeswoman said: ‘Crews arrived to find a 16-year-old boy with serious injuries.
‘The team of ambulance staff worked quickly to begin administering advanced life support to the boy at the scene.
‘Sadly, nothing could be done to save the boy and he was confirmed dead a short time later.’
Police have urged anyone with information to come forward.