January 21, 2025, was meant to be an ordinary school day. Classes ended. Students headed home. For 12-year-old Leo Ross, it was a short, familiar walk — one he had taken countless times before.

He never made it back. 💔

Police say the attack was random and unprovoked. A 15-year-old boy later admitted responsibility. Leo, remembered as kind, gentle, and full of promise, is now believed to be the youngest recorded victim of knife crime in the West Midlands.

His death has shaken the community, raising urgent questions about youth violence, safety, and whether warning signs were missed.

How did a routine walk turn into a tragedy that stunned an entire city — and what can be done to prevent it from happening again?