A 27-YEAR-OLD man suspected of carrying out a series of stabbings in Birmingham city centre leaving one man dead and seven people injured, two critically, remains in custody for further questioning, police have today reported.
The suspect was detained at a house in Selly Oak at 4am in the early hours of Sunday morning, police say. He was arrested on suspicion of murder and seven counts of attempted murder. A warrant of further detention was granted by magistrates this afternoon, giving detectives a further 36 hours to question him.
Birmingham Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Steve Graham, said: “Our enquiries into these awful crimes continue. We still need to speak to any witnesses who saw what happened and who’ve not yet spoken to us, or anyone who may have video footage or photos of the incidents or the attacker.
“Our thoughts and sympathies remain with Jacob Billington’s family and friends, plus the other victims of this senseless attack who we wish a speedy recovery.
“We are determined to get justice for Jacob and everyone else who has been impacted by these terrible acts.”
Liverpudlian Jacob Billington, aged 23, Crosby, was stabbed in Irving Street while enjoying a night out with school friends from Liverpool visiting one of their group who is studying in Birmingham. A post-mortem was carried out yesterday confirming Jacob died of a single stab wound.
He was a keen drummer who played drums in a Liverpool guitar band called The Vedetts. Tributes have been pouring for the 23-year-old and his family in his home city.
Yesterday, The Observer reported the moving tribute by Jacob’s family. In a statement they said: “Jacob was the light of our life and we have been devastated by his loss.”
Another 23-year-old man, who was seriously injured in Irving Street, remains in hospital in a critical condition; while, a 22-year-old woman, attacked in Hurst Street, remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital.
Three people arrested yesterday morning from an address in Selly Oak on suspicion of assisting an offender have all been released pending investigation. A number of cordons were in place in the city centre following the attacks, these have all now been released.
Anyone with information or camera footage can contact us via Live Chat on our website west-midlands.police.uk between 8am and midnight or call 101 anytime. Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Photos or video can be uploaded to a dedicated web page for the operation: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/20HQ19G54-PO1
