Major Police Manhunt Underway Following Tragic Stabbing
West Midlands Police have launched an urgent search for a 17-year-old boy wanted in connection with the murder of a teenager in Handsworth Wood.
Yassin Alama, aged 19, was stabbed on Hutton Road at approximately 5.20pm on Saturday, November 16. Despite the efforts of emergency services, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Appeal to Locate Suspect
Detectives from the force's Homicide team have now publicly named 17-year-old Oumar Traore as a suspect they wish to trace in relation to Mr Alama's death.
Police confirmed that several attempts to arrest Traore in the immediate aftermath of the incident were unsuccessful. They are now appealing directly to the public for assistance in locating him.
Jenny Birch, from West Midlands Police's Homicide unit, stated: "This was a violent attack in the street which has sadly resulted in the death of Yassin. Yassin’s family have been left absolutely devastated by what has happened - and we're doing everything we can to support them and to give them answers."
She added: "We need to find and arrest Traore as soon as possible."
Increased Police Powers and Patrols
In response to the incident, Section 60 powers have been authorised for the Handsworth Wood area. These powers, which grant officers the authority to stop and search individuals without needing reasonable grounds, will be active from 4pm today, November 17, until 7am on Tuesday, November 18.
The police have also confirmed that additional officers will be deployed in the locality to provide reassurance to the community.
Ms Birch issued a direct warning to the public: "If anyone sees Traore, or has information about where he might be, they should not approach him but call us straight away on 999, quoting log 3135 of November 16."
Information can also be provided completely anonymously by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
