Ebun Olowu
One man has been killed and at least seven wounded during a two-hour stabbing rampage across Birmingham city centre, in the United Kingdom. The suspect, however, remains at large, police said.
The first stabbing was in Constitution Hill at 00:30 BST and the killer moved south, apparently attacking at random, officers said.
The stabbings do not appear terrorism-related, gang-related or connected to disorder, West Midlands Police said.
The force urged anyone with CCTV or mobile footage to contact them.
Police said they were hunting a single suspect.
One man died, another man and a woman suffered serious injuries, while five others received injuries which were not thought to be life-threatening.
Ch Supt Steve Graham said the attacker went on to stab people in Livery Street, Irving Street and finally in Hurst Street at about 02:20 BST.
He said officers – some armed – remained across the city centre to reassure people.
Mr Graham said: “The events during the early hours of this morning are tragic, shocking and understandably frightening.
“It does appear to be a random attack because we haven’t found any links between the victims, either in their nature or in where they were socialising.
“Please be assured that we are doing absolutely everything we can to find whoever was responsible and try to understand what exactly happened.
“Anyone with information is asked to contact us via Live Chat on our website or call 101.”
The BBC’s Nick Clitheroe, at the scene, said the incidents had unfolded in a part of Birmingham where the area known as the Gay Village meets the Chinese Quarter, which is typically busy at night with clubs and bars.
He added: “This appears to have started out as a major fight between large groups of people but obviously at some point knives have been pulled and stabbings have taken place.”
Reacting to the incidence, Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted: “All my thoughts are with those affected by the terrible incident in Birmingham last night.
“My thanks to the emergency services who are working hard at the scene. Anyone with information should contact @WMPolice”.
