Two Arrested After Multiple Police Raids in Midlands Following Teen's Death
A man and a woman have been arrested overnight as part of a murder investigation following the tragic death of a teenager in Coventry. Police executed warrants at four addresses in Coventry and elsewhere, recovering a number of items of evidence during the operation.
Fatal Stabbing Outside Foleshill Library
Michael Ababio, aged 18, suffered a stab wound following trouble outside Foleshill Library on Broad Street at approximately 9.40pm on Sunday, February 22. The teenager was pronounced dead in the early hours of Monday, February 23.
In a separate but nearby incident, a 19-year-old man was found with stab wounds and taken to hospital. He was initially arrested on suspicion of murder but has since been de-arrested. However, he remains in police custody on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.
Further Arrests Made in Investigation
West Midlands Police have now arrested a 31-year-old woman and a 42-year-old man on suspicion of assisting an offender. Both individuals remain in custody as the investigation continues.
A police spokesperson stated: "Our investigation into the murder of Michael Ababio continues this afternoon, with officers making further arrests, searching for a number of other suspects and carrying out raids on a number of homes."
Second Disorder Incident and Social Media Appeal
Police are also investigating a second disorder that occurred on nearby Foleshill Road approximately 20 minutes after the fatal attack. Authorities do not believe this incident is directly related to the stabbing. A man has been charged with assault in connection with this second disorder and has been remanded in custody.
Officers have issued a strong appeal regarding footage circulating on social media and private messaging apps. The police spokesperson emphasized: "We would urge people to think of Michael's family and not to share any footage, out of respect for him and to ensure our investigation is not compromised."
Emergency Response and Ongoing Investigation
West Midlands Ambulance Service was alerted to the incident just before 10pm on Sunday, dispatching two ambulances, two paramedic officers, and the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Critical Care Car to the scene.
A spokeswoman for the ambulance service reported: "Upon arrival we found a man with life threatening injuries in a critical condition. Ambulance staff administered advanced life support and advanced trauma care to him at the scene, which continued en route to hospital where he was conveyed for further treatment."
Detective Superintendent Jim Munro from West Midlands Police's homicide team added: "This is a complex enquiry involving a number of people who were at the scene, and we are relentlessly working to identify and arrest them. For the sake of Michael's family, I would urge people to get in touch with any information they have."
Police are asking anyone with information to contact them via 101, quoting log 4185 of February 22. Alternatively, footage can be submitted through the police's dedicated website or information can be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
