This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/mar/07/schoolgirl-stabbed-death-birmingham-bus

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Schoolgirl stabbed to death on Birmingham bus named School mourns 16-year-old student stabbed to death on Birmingham bus
(about 2 hours later)
A 16-year-old schoolgirl stabbed to death on a bus during the morning rush hour in Birmingham has been named as Christina Edkins. Teachers and friends have paid tribute to a "bright and popular" schoolgirl who was stabbed to death on a crowded bus in Birmingham during the morning rush hour.
A 22-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the killing of the teenager, a student at at Leasowes high school in Halesowen, West Midlands police said. Christina Edkins, 16, was on her way to school in Halesowen on Thursday morning when she was attacked. A 22-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of her murder.
He was held near a Morrisons supermarket following a manhunt launched after the killing on a crowded double-decker bus at around 7.30am as Christina made her way to school. "This is a tragic case and the victim's family are devastated," said Det Supt Richard Baker, from West Midlands police. "We are still anxious to hear from anyone with information or who may have witnessed the incident this morning.
Police said the man was chased and arrested after being seen acting suspiciously and was being held on suspicion of murder. "There will be a high police presence across the city this afternoon following this morning's tragedy, particularly on buses and in schools in the area to provide reassurance to local people."
Neil Shaw, the headteacher of Leasowes high school, said: "Christina was a bright and popular student much loved by staff and students alike. Police officers responded to a call from a member of the public reporting that a passenger had been attacked on Hagley Road, in Birmingham city centre, shortly after 7.30am. An emergency doctor and paramedics from West Midlands ambulance service also arrived but Christina was pronounced dead at the scene. She was on her way to Leasowes high school when the attack took place.
"We are deeply saddened to hear this tragic news and our thoughts and hearts go out to her family and everyone who knew her. Headteacher Neil Shaw said: "Christina was a bright and popular student much loved by staff and students alike. We are deeply saddened to hear this tragic news and our thoughts and hearts go out to her family and everyone who knew her." A tribute page was set up in her memory on Facebook. Dannie Leigh wrote: "Spent all weekend with the most sweetest girl, and it was only two days ago that we were arranging another catch up r.i.p christina, I love you beautiful." Police said family liaison officers were supporting Christina's family . Counsellors were available to pupils and staff at her school.
"The school is working closely with the police and a team of counsellors to provide support to our pupils and staff." West Midlands police issued a description of the attacker based on witness accounts after the incident and called in firearms officers and police dogs to assist with the search. A man was later arrested following a chase. Earlier, police briefly detained another man in connection with the stabbing but he was released without arrest. Baker said police were investigating the possibility that the killing was a random attack, adding: "We're looking at a number of motives at the moment." Police were not looking for anyone else in connection with the killing.
Police said Christina's family were being supported by family liaison officers. It emerged that Christina had tweeted a month ago about a man "worrying" her on the bus. She wrote: "This man is worrying me on the bus keeps getting up and walking up and down stairs, and sitting in different place." Less than 24 hours before she was killed, she tweeted: "Why can't something go right for once?" Police said they were looking at Christina's social media footprint but added: "At this stage there's nothing to suggest she was targeted." They said the suspect was already on the bus when she boarded it and there was "nothing immediately" to suggest the pair knew each other.
Police said officers responded to a call from a member of the public reporting that a passenger had been attacked on Hagley Road, in Birmingham city centre, shortly after 7.30am on Thursday. Police tape sealed off the scene of the stabbing and detectives were working alongside specialist forensic investigators to identify CCTV systems that might have captured the incident on camera.
Detective superintendent Richard Baker, from West Midlands police, said the girl was on her way to school and appeared to be the victim of a "quick attack". He said: "This is a tragic case and the victim's family are devastated … We are working hard to identify the offender, which involves speaking to a large number of people who witnessed the attack."
Officers from across the force, including police dog handlers and firearms officers were involved in the hunt for the person responsible.
Police tape sealed off the scene of the stabbing and detectives were working alongside specialist forensic scene investigators at the scene to identify CCTV systems that may have captured the incident on camera.
A National Express West Midlands spokesman said: "We can confirm that a tragic incident took place on a No 9 service on the Hagley Road this morning.A National Express West Midlands spokesman said: "We can confirm that a tragic incident took place on a No 9 service on the Hagley Road this morning.
"Our thoughts and condolences are with the family of the person involved and we will offer all possible support to the police in their investigation into the matter.""Our thoughts and condolences are with the family of the person involved and we will offer all possible support to the police in their investigation into the matter."
The West Midlands ambulance service said it had sent an emergency doctor, a senior paramedic and two ambulance crews to the scene of the incident. A spokesman said: "One person was confirmed dead at the scene."