Boy, 14, ‘racially abused’ before being stabbed to death

Dea-John Reid, 14, was stabbed to death after being 'racially abused' in Kingstanding, Birmingham, on Monday. — The victim was named as Dea-John Reid with his family paying tribute to him as an ‘incredibly talented young boy’ (Picture: West Midlands Police)

A 14-year-old boy who was chased and stabbed to death was racially abused before the attack, said police as they named the victim as Dea-John Reid.

Racist slurs were reportedly used against Dea-John and his friends, before the schoolboy was killed in Kingstanding, Birmingham, on Monday evening.

Six people were arrested on suspicion of murder on Tuesday, including two teenagers, aged 13 and 14, and four men in their 30s.

They continue to be questioned in custody.

Dea-John’s family tonight paid tribute to the ‘incredibly talented young boy’ and called for an end to knife crime, asking: ‘How many more mothers will have to mourn for their sons for this to stop?’

West Midlands Police previously said said there was ‘nothing to suggest’ the stabbing was racially-motivated.

However, Detective Chief Inspector Stu Mobberley, said tonight: ‘As the investigation has progressed we now believe there was an incident involving Dea-John and his friends shortly before the murder.

‘That quickly escalated, resulting in Dea-John’s tragic death.

A forensics officer at the scene on College Road, Kingstanding, north of Birmingham, where a 14-year-old boy died after being stabbed on Monday evening. Police have launched a murder investigation and are hunting up to seven people in connection with the attack. — Police believe the victim was subjected to racist abuse before the killing (Picture: PA)

Undated handout photo issued by West Midlands Police of Dea-John Reid who has been named as the 14-year-old who was fatally stabbed in Kingstanding, Birmingham on Monday. Issue date: Wednesday June 2, 2021. PA Photo. See PA story POLICE Kingstanding. Photo credit should read: West Midlands Police/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder. — Dea-John’s family called for an end to knife crime (Picture: PA)

‘During this precursor incident racist language was directed at Dea-John and his friends – that’s now being investigated.

‘We’re still appealing for witnesses, anyone who saw or heard anything that could help our investigation, to get in touch so we can build up a clear picture of what happened.’

West Midlands Police have voluntarily referred their investigation to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) after ‘looking at previous incidents involving’ Dea-John.

His family paid tribute to their son in a statement, saying: ‘We’d like to thank the emergency services for their diligence and support… and the public for their outpouring of love and support throughout this tragic and challenging time.