PA ImagesA 13-year-old boy has been stabbed to death at a house in the West Midlands.
A murder investigation has been launched after police were called to Lovett Avenue, Oldbury, at about 16:00 BST on Thursday.
A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said: “The 13-year-old was treated by paramedics, however, despite their best efforts the boy sadly passed away.
“We have a team of detectives investigating exactly what happened during this tragic incident, and we’re following active lines of inquiry to identify who was involved.”
Det Supt Shaun Edwards said: “It’s absolutely tragic a young life has been lost.
“We have specialist officers who will be supporting the family of the boy.
“We have detectives working flat out to find whoever is responsible and bring them into custody as soon as possible.”
Police were called to the property by West Midlands Ambulance Service.
People have laid bouquets of flowers outside the house. One woman collapsed in tears after she left her tribute.
A police cordon has been put in place and forensic officers have been seen at the back of the property.
Detectives have also been making door-to-door enquiries with neighbours in an effort to find out more about what happened.
Last year the West Midlands had the highest rate of knife offences in England and Wales, in many cases victims of stabbings have been teenagers.
Darius Rayman, a youth worker for Sandwell Council, was at the scene on Friday morning.
“I think it’s really sad that somebody’s 13-year-old has passed away.”
“He hasn’t even lived up to his teenage years.”
He said he felt more needed to be done about knife crime by the government.
“Do we need to go back to the drawing board? How, and why, is this happening to young people in this area?”
A spokesperson for the ambulance service said: “Upon arrival we found a teenage boy with life threatening injuries.
“Ambulance staff administered advanced trauma care at the scene but unfortunately, despite their best efforts nothing more could be done to save him and he was confirmed deceased at the scene.”
Anyone with information has been asked to get in touch with police.
