A promising youngster who was part of the Nottingham Forest academy has been stabbed to death with a 12 year old boy arrested.
The incident took place in the Lozells area of Birmingham with Nottingham-based Rossoneri youth football club paying tribute to 16-year-old former player Sekou Doucoure as his death is announced on Thursday the 14th of July.
In a short statement posted on the club’s Facebook page, Sekou’s death was described as “tragic” and expressed their thoughts were with the young sportsman’s family and friends.
In a post on The Rossoneri FC’s Facebook page, a spokesman said the young man once played for Nottingham Forest’s academy and added: “It is with great sadness that we have to announce the tragic passing of The Rossoneri former player Sekou.
“This news has left everyone involved with the club devastated and heartbroken. Sekou played for The Rossoneri Fc before joining Nottingham Forest academy. Our thoughts are with Sekou ’s friends and family at this awful and difficult time.”
It is with great sadness that we have to announce the tragic passing of The Rossoneri former player Sekou.
This news has…Posted by The Rossoneri Fc on Thursday, 14 July 2022
Rodrick Maveso, founder of The Rossoneri, managed Sekou for a couple of years and helped him sign for the Nottingham Forest academy before the teenager moved to Birmingham.
“I help the kids, if I see talent then I speak to one of the guys at Nottingham Forest. They wanted to sign him. He went there for trials, for eight week trials, they liked him and then they signed him,” Mr Maveso said.
“He was a very good goalkeeper at grassroots level, personally I think he was the best one there [in junior Nottingham football at that age]. The goalkeeper position is very crucial and very hard.”
He ended up leaving Forest and moved to Birmingham with his mum. His ex-manager said he went on to have trials with the likes of West Brom and Aston Villa but struggled with injuries after his time at Forest.
Witnesses described hearing gunshots before the 16-year-old boy was found knifed in Nursery Road, near Burbury Street, Lozells pic.twitter.com/FQMQbnbmvr
— Birmingham Live (@birmingham_live) July 14, 2022
After hearing of the young man’s death, the coach said: “I heard it on the news, I could not believe it because he was growing. He was a very, very calm person.
“He was my player – that hurts me even the most because he was someone I knew; I know the family, I know the mum, I know the siblings. We were like a family. To get that sad news it broke me.”
Remembering the youngster, the coach added: “He was a bit of a comedian of the group. He was quiet but, at the same time, he was not quiet because he wanted to make people laugh.”
West Midlands Police claim they have arrested two boys aged 12 and 15 on suspicion of violent disorder in connection with the incident.
A 19-year-old man, suffering an arm injury, was arrested on suspicion of murder and the incident, near the junction of Nursery Road and Burbery Street in the Lozells area of Birmingham, was reported at around 6.30pm on Tuesday the 12th of July.
Sekou’s former teacher set up a crowdfunder to help his family with any funeral costs.
Detective Inspector Laura Harrison appealed for more witnesses to come forward. She said: “We know there were others involved and we need to speak to anyone with information who hasn’t already spoken to us.
“This community is understandably shaken by the death of a teenage boy in broad daylight. This violence on our streets has to stop and we will continue to work them to disrupt and deter violent crime.”
Mohammed Miah, whose home is near where the stabbing took place, said: “I’m very scared about this. My two daughters were inside, they phoned me many times (saying) ‘daddy come back home’.
“It’s always happening.
“I like there to be safety for everyone, for the community.”
Meanwhile, Lozells councillor Waseem Zaffar says the age of those allegedly involved was a “major concern.”
‘They’re living in fear and that should not be happening.’
Councillor Waseem Zaffar admits he ‘couldn’t give parents reassurance’ after a 16-year-old boy was killed in Lozells.
Read more: https://t.co/TMMPDdkdms pic.twitter.com/8KWSEwygGw
— ITV News Central (@ITVCentral) July 14, 2022
Tributes were paid after hearing that the promising Nottingham Forest youngster was stabbed to death with a 12 year old arrested…
@simondavid2411: Rest in peace sekou
@SarahK8Gosling: This is devastating news
Cheryl Taft: R.I.P taken far too soon… when will such actions ever end 😪
Meme Miller: So sad RIP 💙
Tracey Johnson: This stabbing malarkey is absolutely getting beyond a joke now, too many young lives are being wiped out before they have begun, it’s so sad ❤️
Andrew Kirsty Gilbert: So sad 😭 things are just getting worse !!! 😡
Gary Woodward: R.I.P young man
Giz Humber: So sad taken far to young.Thoughts with his family
Michael Musson: So sad hope they catch the perpetrators.
Jason Lee: Incredibly sad to hear, thoughts with his family and friends
Vanita Malachi: R.I.P Young man 😔🙏😔
Becky Boulton Gough: R.I.P mate x
This is desperately sad news. Sekou was with #nffc academy for a short while & one of the first players to join from The Rossoneri FC. My thoughts & prayers are with his family and friends. RIP Sekou.https://t.co/CNbySMagC9
— Grant (@Grantnffc1) July 14, 2022

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