The mother and twin sister of a 15-year-old who was killed in a gun and knife attack have joined dozens of well-wishers to lay flowers and offer prayers at the scene.
A week on from the fatal attack on Keon Lincoln in Handsworth, Birmingham, those mourning the teenager heard calls for justice to be allowed to take its course.
Speaking to crowds at the scene in Linwood Road, near a makeshift shrine to Keon, family friend pastor Neville Popo said: “Life is not about this. We shouldn’t be standing here now but we’re here and we’re supporting (Keon’s mother) Sharmaine in the best way possible.
“Let’s respect life and let’s let things be done in the way that it should be done – that the culprits will be brought to justice and that we can live our lives without fear.
“As a minister, you know that my talk will all be about unity and love, and that we come together and support each other.
“Sharmaine thanks you for your support helping her through this time.”
Keon died at Birmingham Children’s Hospital last Thursday after suffering a gunshot and stab wounds in a daylight attack, thought to have involved up to six people, near the junction with Whateley Road.
West Midlands Police said two further arrests have been made in connection with the death.
Speaking at the scene almost a week to the hour after the incident, Detective Chief Inspector Alastair Orencas told reporters: “Earlier today, we arrested a 21-year-old man in relation to conspiracy to commit murder and I can reveal in the last hour we have arrested a further male, a 15-year-old.
“This is a really fast-moving inquiry. We are dealing with a real volume of information but it is gathering a real pace, and I’m very pleased and very proud of the engagement from the community.”
Asked if detectives had established a motive for the killing, Mr Orencas said: “We remain open-minded. Any effective investigation will take exactly that stance until the evidence leads you down into a position where you can say why you think something happened.
“The amount of scrutiny that I am putting into this investigation… I am satisfied that everyone is doing their bit 100% to get justice for Keon.
“Let’s not forget that’s exactly what this is about. There’s a 15-year-old boy in a mortuary, who has been murdered just behind me here.
“That’s an absolutely outrageous position for this community to find themselves in.”
