An 18-year-old who was fatally stabbed outside a mosque in Smethwick has been named by police as Zeshan Afzal.
West Midlands Police were called to reports of disorder outside Oldbury Jamia Mosque on Oldbury Road shortly before 9pm on Friday during evening prayers in the holy month of Ramadan. When officers arrived, they found Zeshan Afzal with serious injuries.
Despite the efforts of paramedics, he was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later.
Two other men, aged 19 and 22, were also injured in the incident and were taken to hospital. Their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
Police have launched a murder investigation and are working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the attack. Officers are reviewing CCTV footage and carrying out further enquiries in the area. Forensic teams remain at the scene, with a cordon and a blue tent erected in the mosque’s car park.
In a statement, West Midlands Police confirmed: “A teenager who tragically died after being stabbed in Smethwick has been named as Zeshan Afzal.”
The force has said that, at this stage, the incident is not being treated as religiously or racially motivated.
Worshippers were reportedly told to return inside the mosque as emergency services responded. One attendee described the scene as distressing, with people crying following the attack.
Police are urging anyone with information, CCTV, dashcam or mobile phone footage to contact them on 101 quoting log number 4896 of 20 February, or to contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.