West Midlands Police have charged a man with the murder of Jacob Billington who was one of the members of the public who were stabbed in Birmingham City Centre during a one-person knife rampage.
The horrific stabbing spree unfolded during the early hours of Sunday morning as local emergency services personnel flooded the area with over 15 emergency ambulances being sent as part of the West Midlands Ambulance Service Response.
Zephaniah McLeod, 27, of Nately Grove, Selly Oak, Birmingham, is also accused of the attempted murder of the seven other victims.
McLeod will appear before Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday morning.
Jacob, 23, died after being attacked in Irving Street while enjoying a night out with school friends.
Jacob was visiting Birmingham with some other friends who are students in the city when he was savagely attacked.
A post mortem concluded he died as a result of a deep stab wound to the neck.
A 23-year-old man, who was seriously injured in Irving Street, remains in hospital in a critical condition.
A 22-year-old woman, attacked in Hurst Street, remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital.
Another man, aged 30, remains in a serious condition in hospital, while four others have been discharged.
Detective Chief Inspector Jim Munro, who is leading the investigation, said:
“Since these tragic events unfolded in the early hours of Sunday morning, we’ve had a team of officers working non-stop on the investigation.
“Our driving focus is to secure justice for the victims, their family and friends. Our sympathies remain with everyone who’s been impacted by these terrible crimes.
“Our investigation continues and I would urge any witnesses who’ve not yet spoken to us, or anyone with information they feel could help, to get in touch.”
Suzanne Llewellyn, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor of CPS West Midlands, said:
“Following an incident in Birmingham city centre in the early hours of 6 September 2020, the Crown Prosecution Service has authorised West Midlands Police to charge Zephaniah McLeod, 27, with one count of murder and seven counts of attempted murder.
“This decision was made following careful consideration of the evidence presented to us by West Midlands Police as a result of their ongoing investigation.
“Our thoughts remain with the families and friends of the victims affected in this incident.”
Anyone with information, photos or video footage which could help the investigation can get in touch with us via this dedicated web link: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/20HQ19G54-PO1
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