Candlelight vigil to mark three years since Birmingham teenager stabbed to death | News

Dea-John Reid, 14, killed in knife attack in 2021

A candlelight vigil has been held three years to the day since a 14-year-old schoolboy was stabbed to death in Birmingham on 31 May 2021.

Dea-John Reid was targeted by racial slurs and chased by five men and boys through the King’s Standing before he was stabbed in the heart and died in the street.

Family spokesman Bishop Desmond Jaddoo said: “May 31, 2021 sent shockwaves through the city.

“When his mother arrived, got out of the taxi and saw the blue tent, she almost collapsed. She said ‘I want to go hug my baby’ and was told she couldn’t.”

In her impact statement, Dea-John’s mother Joan Morris said: “On reflection, I will never see Dea-John become the footballer or dentist he dreamed of, nor will I see Dea- John getting engaged and married, I won’t even see Dea-John. to have children, nor his own house, or even simply to have a conversation with him face to face.

“The ultimate act of love I could show my son was to make sure he got the break he deserved. While family members of the perpetrator will be able to visit their loved one and eventually see him released back into the community, My only visit to Dea-John is at a grave in a cemetery.”

The family is now campaigning to end juries that do not reflect the area” and to introduce “a civil rights act to deal with the public racial abuse Dea-John was subjected to”.

Bishop Jaddoo said: “We will light candles, say prayers and finish at 7.45pm – it seems an odd time but that’s when Dea-John lost his life.”

All five people involved were found not guilty of conspiracy, but a 15-year-old boy was convicted of manslaughter.

Dea-John’s family, friends, politicians, police officers and community members will unite on College Road at 6.30pm, where Dea John was killed.

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