A man who was killed during a series of stabbings in Birmingham has been named as Jacob Billington, 23.
Mr Billington had been out with school friends from Liverpool when he was stabbed on Irving Street during the early hours of Sunday morning. Another of his friends, also 23, was seriously injured and remains in hospital in a critical condition.
Another man, 30, stabbed in Livery Street and a woman, 22, attacked on Hurst Street, also remain critically injured in hospital. Three men and a woman were also injured in the attacks.
In a statement, Mr Billington’s family said: ‘Jacob was the light of our life and we have been devastated by his loss. He was a funny, caring and wonderful person who was loved by every single person he met.
‘He lit up every room with his boundless energy and witty humour and the loss of such a special person will be felt by all who knew him for years to come. We ask that our privacy is respected during this difficult time.’
A man, 27, was arrested this morning over the series of ‘random’ knife attacks, which took place around Birmingham city centre.
Officers raided a home in the Selly Oak area at 4am after CCTV footage of a suspect was shared by the police.
Neighbours in Nately Grove said they woke up to a loud bang and shouts of ‘armed police, get down’ before seeing two men being brought out in handcuffs.
The suspected attacker was arrested on suspicion of murder and seven counts of attempted murder, West Midlands Police said. Three other people, two men and a woman, were arrested from the same address on suspicion of assisting an offender.
Chief Superintendent Steve Graham said today: ‘Our thoughts and sympathies are with Jacob’s family and friends after receiving such shocking news, particularly for those who were sharing their night out with him.
‘It’s utterly shocking that a friends’ reunion should end so brutally. Equally the families of the other victims have been left devastated by the events of Sunday morning and we are working hard to discover what led to the apparently random attacks.
‘We have no suggestion that the motive was either racial, homophobic or gang-related.’
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