Church vigils held in memory of stabbed 12-year-old schoolboy Leo Ross
Simultaneous vigils of prayer for 12-year-old Birmingham schoolboy Leo Ross have taken place at two churches in the Hall Green and Yardley Wood areas of the city.
The two-hour services, held a day after a youth aged 14 was charged with Leo's murder and six unconnected assaults, saw prayers offered at five-minute intervals for Leo, his family and friends.
West Midlands Police confirmed on Saturday that Leo's alleged killer, who cannot be named because of his age, has been remanded into custody to appear at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on Monday, having also been charged with possession of a bladed article.
Sunday's services at Christ Church in Yardley Wood and St Peter's Church in nearby Hall Green took place to allow the churches to 'unite with the whole community to surround Leo and his family and friends with our love and prayers,' according to a social media post issued by St Peter's.
The services offered well-wishers the opportunity to lay flowers and light candles in memory of Leo.
Speaking at a Sunday service held before the vigil of prayer, the vicar of St Peter's, the Revered Canon Martin Stephenson said: 'There is a certain solemnity in our community at this time, after the tragic and appalling killing of Leo Ross.
'Our hearts, and our prayers, our love pours out for his family and friends.'
Leo, a 'lovely and bright' pupil at the Christ Church, Church of England Secondary Academy in Yardley Wood, died in hospital on Tuesday after being stabbed in The Shire Country Park.
The school has confirmed that the boy charged with murder was not among its pupils and has not studied there previously.
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe fundraising page set up by a relative of Leo's foster carers to raise funds for The Daniel Baird Foundation, an anti-knife crime charity, has attracted donations of more than £9,700.
The foundation, set up after Mr Baird, aged 26, was fatally stabbed in the Digbeth area in 2017, works to raise awareness of the importance of having publicly accessible bleeding control packs available.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
31 minutes ago
- Yahoo
A Florida Dog Was Enjoying His Backyard When 'All of a Sudden' an Alligator Dragged Him Away
An alligator attacked a German shepherd dog outside the pet's home in Wesley Chapel, Florida, on June 2 The dog, Zeus, suffered multiple injuries, including a fractured jaw and several puncture wounds at the neck, according to a GoFundMe page for the pup Zeus' family says the attacking alligator dragged the dog into a nearby pond, but eventually let the pet go, giving the canine a chance to escapeA German shepherd dog narrowly escaped death in an alligator attack just outside of his home in Wesley Chapel, Florida, according to the pet's parents. The dog, named Zeus, suffered multiple injuries after "a large alligator broke through [the] fence" of his owner's home and "attacked him" on the night of June 2, according to a GoFundMe page created by the dog's distraught owner, Susan Alkhatib. "Our beloved dog Zeus was sitting peacefully in the lanai with my dad when he heard a small animal in the backyard," wrote Alkhatib. According to the owner, Zeus "ran out the doggy door to investigate" and "within seconds," the alligator "grabbed the dog and dragged him back into the water." "We rushed outside with a flashlight and were shocked to see Zeus swimming back toward us, wounded but fighting to survive," Alkhatib continued. "My mom waded into the water to help him out, and we rushed him to the nearest emergency vet as he was bleeding heavily from his mouth." One family member recalled the attack to WFLA, "All of a sudden, I couldn't hear him anymore. My dad came in frantic. I'd never seen him like that. He said, 'The alligator just took Zeus.'" "The alligator had just let go of Zeus," Alkhatib told the outlet. "We started yelling at him to come toward us. When he got closer, he got tired. So we had to kind of go into the pond a little bit to get him." Zeus suffered a displaced jaw and multiple puncture wounds to his neck in the vicious attack, according to the GoFundMe page. The page has raised over $6,800 of its $10,000 to help cover veterinary bills. Photos released by the dog's owner show the pooch bleeding from his neck and his injured jaw. Alkhatib called the dog's escape from the attack "a miracle" on her GoFundMe page. "The vet told us the gator had just missed his jugular — it looked like Zeus's entire head had been in the gator's mouth. The fact that he made it out alive is nothing short of a miracle," she wrote. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "We're doing everything we can to help our boy heal, but the cost of his care has become overwhelming and unexpected. If you know Zeus, you know he's a fighter … We just want to see him happy and healthy again," the page concluded. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has trappers searching for the attacking alligator, per WFLA. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
GoFundMe Campaign for Mom of 3 Girls Who Police Suspect Were Killed by Dad Raises Over $1 Million
More than $1 million has been raised on a GoFundMe campaign supporting Whitney Decker, whose three daughters were alleged to have been killed by their father Paityn Decker, 9, Evelyn Decker, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5, were found dead on June 2 in Chelan County, Wash., three days after they never returned from a planned visit with their father, Travis Decker Travis is the subject of an ongoing manhunt and is wanted on charges of murder, kidnapping and custodial interferenceSupport has been shown for Whitney Decker, the Washington state mother whose three daughters police suspect were murdered by their father. The donations on a GoFundMe campaign set up to help Whitney with expenses and legal costs amid the tragic loss of Paityn Decker, 9, Evelyn Decker, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5, have soared over $1 million as of Monday, June 9. "Their light touched so many, and the pain of this loss is immeasurable," organizer and friend Amy Edwards wrote. "I've known Whitney for years, we're both dance moms and theater friends [and I've] had the privilege of teaching Whitney's girls." Edwards says the 'funds raised will go directly to Whitney to help cover final expenses, support time off from work, and give her space to heal without financial pressure.' 'Thank you for keeping Whitney and her girls in your hearts,' the family friend added. The girls were found dead on June 2 after authorities located their father's pickup truck near the Rock Island Campground in Chelan County, PEOPLE previously reported, citing police. Their father, 32-year-old Travis Decker, had not returned on time from a 'planned visitation' on May 30, leading the girls to being reported missing. Officials believe the girls most likely died by asphyxiation, according to a preliminary report filed with the Chelan County Superior Court, Fox 13 Seattle reported. While Travis has yet to be found, he is facing charges related to his daughters' deaths. Authorities have said he is wanted on charges of murder, kidnapping and custodial interference. "Travis, if you're listening, this is your opportunity to turn yourself in, do the right thing, do what you need to do and take accountability for your actions," Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison said at a press conference on June 3. Amid the ongoing manhunt for Travis, authorities have been asking the public to come forward with any information and have shared several photos of him. Travis is 5'8 with black hair and brown eyes, and the Chelan County Sheriff's Office previously described him as "dangerous" and said he "may be armed." The CCSO wrote in a press release shared on Saturday, June 7 that hundreds of law enforcement personnel are searching "dozens of structures and the forests" in the area. "We continue these search efforts, acting upon gathered information and tips from the public, and leads developed through even more search warrants," the sheriff's office said, adding that a local road was reopened after authorities found "no credible threat." However, Whitney's attorney, Arianna Cozart, believes Travis died by suicide, she told PEOPLE on Friday, June 6. The attorney added that although Travis, an Army veteran, struggled with mental health issues, he was a "present and active father up until the end." Police said in previous statement that Travis was 'homeless and living in his vehicle or at various hotels/motels or at campgrounds in the area.' They also noted that he had prior military experience. Days before the killings, Travis reportedly conducted online searches about how to move to Canada and allegedly searched a Canadian job site, according to a U.S. Marshals Service affidavit obtained by Fox 13 Seattle, The Independent and NBC Right Now. Authorities said they were worried that he was attempting to flee the U.S. into Canada. "The location of the victims' remains is relatively close to the Canadian border and approximately 11 miles from the Pacific Crest Trail, a well-established trail that leads directly to Canada," the affidavit states, per Fox 13 Seattle. Authorities are asking anyone who has seen Travis to call 911 immediately and do not attempt approach him. People can also call the CCSO tip line at 509-667-6845 or submit information to the tip line. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Dine-and-dasher gets 22 years for attack that put New York restaurant owner in a coma
[Source] A man who left a restaurant co-owner in Albany, New York, with severe brain injuries after attempting to skip out on his bill was sentenced to 22 years in prison on Friday. Catch up Lucas Healey, 43, dined at Shogun Sushi and Sake Bar for two hours on May 29, 2024, building up a tab over $400 before trying to leave when his credit card processed only a $50 payment. Staff chased him down Madison Avenue, where he punched co-owner Su Wen Zheng multiple times. Zheng was knocked backward, striking his head on the pavement. Healey also allegedly yelled racial epithets at staff, but prosecutors never filed hate crime charges despite initial consideration. Zheng spent nearly two weeks in a coma and nearly two months hospitalized. Trending on NextShark: Sentencing Judge Roger McDonough imposed the 22-year term plus five years supervision, though he did not classify Healey as a repeat offender despite prior convictions for reckless endangerment and attempted robbery. Still, the judge dismissed Healey's 'faux remorse,' noting he blamed his Irish background, foster care history and unsubstantiated brain injury while denying he started the fight. Zheng's wife, Yaying Chen, has described her husband's severe disabilities, including the inability to tell time, recognize colors or name fruits, with communication failures causing head-banging frustration. A GoFundMe campaign had raised $62,150 for Zheng's medical bills. Trending on NextShark: Healey rejected a previous 20-year plea deal and will serve concurrent sentences. This story is part of The Rebel Yellow Newsletter — a bold weekly newsletter from the creators of NextShark, reclaiming our stories and celebrating Asian American voices. Trending on NextShark: Subscribe free to join the movement. If you love what we're building, consider becoming a paid member — your support helps us grow our team, investigate impactful stories, and uplift our community. ! Trending on NextShark: Download the NextShark App: Want to keep up to date on Asian American News? Download the NextShark App today!
