'Children in tears' - Florist reveals community's pain after Leo Ross tragedy

Kanwal Bogayle from the White Lotus Flower Shop on Priory Road
-Credit:Kanwal Bogayle


A florist has told of how the killing of schoolboy Leo Ross has left the community devastated. Kanwal Bogayle says broken-hearted parents and crying schoolchildren have been coming into her White Lotus flower shop on the junction of Scribers Lane and Priory Road in Hall Green to buy tributes in the wake of the 12-year-old's death.

She said Leo walked past his shop, seemed quiet, and looked like an ordinary boy. Mrs Bogayle was shocked when she recognised his face when it appeared on the news.

Since Tuesday (Jan 21), streams of emotional customers have been coming in to buy tributes. She said: "Parents come in with their kids.

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READ MORE: Leo Ross murder probe latest – police given more time to question boy as deadline looms

READ MORE: Inside the strong Birmingham community uniting after tragic stabbing of Leo Ross

Read More: Inside the strong Birmingham community uniting after tragic stabbing of Leo Ross

"The children who were classmates with him are crying and very emotional. A few of them were writing messages in the shop, and they were crying.

"One girl came in with her mother, and she was one of his classmates and started crying loudly. I gave her a hug and asked if she wanted to put glitter on the flowers.

"She liked it and wanted to remember him in a positive way. They said he was a good child and very friendly."

Montage of family-issued image of Leo Ross and floral tributes near the scene of his murder with '12' in white and red flowers
West Midlands Police have been given more time to question a 14-year-old suspected of murdering Leo Ross, 12, (pictured) - with the deadline for charging or releasing the suspect looming

"I'm not a mom, but I'm very emotional. It hard for them, they are young. One parent came from a different town and brought her son."

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Mrs Bogayle, 45, said she loved the area where she had been running the shop for 12 years, but people were concerned about safety. She said: "You can't even walk safely in nature.

"There are so many elderly people live here who have morals and respect for each other."

Flowers and tributes left to Leo Ross on Scribers Lane, Hall Green. -Credit:Birmingham Live
Flowers and tributes left to Leo Ross on Scribers Lane, Hall Green. -Credit:Birmingham Live

The West Midlands force has previously issued a statement and said: “A boy aged 14 remains in our custody on suspicion of the murder of Leo Ross, who was stabbed to death in Hall Green. We were called by paramedics at about 3.40pm on Tuesday (January 21) after 12-year-old Leo was found near Scribers Lane in Hall Green with a stab wound to his stomach.

"He was taken to hospital but sadly was pronounced dead at around 7.30pm. As a result of our enquiries, a 14-year-old boy was arrested from an address in Birmingham later that evening.

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"He remains in custody on suspicion of murder and three assaults of women in the area, which happened on Sunday and Monday before the murder of Leo. We are continuing to appeal for information from anyone who might have seen what happened, especially if you have photos, CCTV or dashcam footage from the area at around the time Leo was stabbed.

"Anyone with further information about what happened can visit out Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) and submit images or videos here https://mipp.police.uk/operation/20HQ24A94-PO1 You can also report information to us via 101 or Live Chat, or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."