Keaton Slater: Coventry police tell suspect to ‘do the right thing’

People who could have helped a man hunted after a hit-and-run crash that killed 12-year-old Keaton Slater have been told to “do the right thing and come forward with what you know”.

Now, police looking for suspect Dolars Aleksanders said “we ask everyone to think about what this would be like if it happened to your family”.

England star James Maddison, who promoted a fundraising page for Keaton’s family, said: “As a father, I can’t even begin to imagine what I’m going through.”

Sup. Paul Joyce, from West Midlands Police (WMP), said a “huge investigation team” had been set up to look for Mr Aleksanders, with a warning to all ports issued as part of the hunt.

Keaton died when he was hit by a car at 4.30pm BST on Friday in Radford Road, Coventry.

A black BMW that was abandoned in New Arley was seized by officers later that evening.

Sup. Joyce said: “Keaton was a young lad enjoying his life. As a football fan, no doubt he would have enjoyed cheering for England last night.”

Dozens of floral tributes have been left at the scene of the crash and one resident told the BBC it was “avoidable” for the family and community.

Police urged the public to “do the right thing and come forward with anything that could assist our enquiries.”

A Just Giving page set up to help Keaton’s family has already raised almost £40,000.

“As a father I can’t even begin to imagine what they are going through so let’s try to come together to help Keaton’s family when they need us the most,” the footballer wrote.

Coventry City Football Club said it was “deeply saddened” by Keaton’s death.

Sup. Paul Joyce said investigators were “determined to do everything we can to get justice for Keaton and his family.”

“We’re asking everyone to think about what this would be like if it happened to your family and do the right thing and tell us what you know,” he said.

“Keaton was a young lad enjoying his life. As a football fan no doubt he would have loved to apply for England last night but for his life to be taken so cruelly is heartbreaking.”

His family is supported by specially trained officers.

“This is an incredibly tragic set of circumstances that have led us to where we are today and I want to offer my sincere sympathy to everyone connected to the little boy’s family and friends,” Surf continued. Joyce.

In a statement, City said: “Keaton was a great supporter of Coventry and the thoughts and condolences of everyone (at the club) and the entire Sky Blue community are with Keaton’s family and friends at this terrible time for them.” .

And Cardinal Newman Catholic School, where Keaton was a student, said students and its community would be supported in the coming days by additional counselors, lay chaplains and staff.

“We are all shocked and saddened by the sudden and tragic death of Keaton Slater, one of our students,” said headteacher Emma O’Connor.

“Keaton was a beautiful, fun-loving and popular pupil who joined us in September from St Augustine’s Primary School, we will all miss him, his incredible smile and his wonderful sense of humour.”