Knifeman 'randomly' slashes four passers-by in horror rampage outside shops (2025)

Armed police raced to the scene following reports of a man on the loose with a knife.

This is the horror moment when a knifeman "randomly" slashed four passers-by outside shops during a terrifying rampage, according to police.

Armed police raced to Hawthorn Road and Kingstanding Road in Birmingham after the alarm was raised at around 6.30am on Saturday. Officers were responding to reports of a man on the loose with a knife.

West Midlands Police initially said two members of the public were injured, one of whom was taken to hospital. Detectives said in an update today that four people were slashed as they released a CCTV image of a man, also thought to have been injured, who has not yet come forward.

As reported by Birmingham Live, officers urged the man - or anyone who recognised him - to contact them. Meanwhile, a man who was arrested yesterday remains in custody.

The force said in a statement: "We are continuing our investigation after a number of people were assaulted in Kingstanding this weekend. A 32-year-old man remains in custody after a four people were slashed at with a knife in the area around Blenheim Way yesterday. Fortunately no-one was seriously injured in the incident.

"Officers have been carrying out local enquiries and have been gathering CCTV footage to help with their investigation.

"A potential fifth victim has been identified who our officers would like to speak to. We appreciate this is not the clearest image, but we're hoping someone who knows the man may be able to put him in touch with us so we can make sure he is okay. If you know more about what happened, contact us via 101 or Live chat quoting log 659 of 22 March."

The attack comes days after a student was left fighting for his life after two teenagers randomly attacked him in a busy city centre.

Ramaray Treasure and Leon Sykes chased the complete stranger through Sheffield and, once they caught up, repeatedly stabbed him before walking away laughing. The attack happened during the early hours of Sunday, March 9, and was put to stop when a member of the public ran across the road to the student’s aid.

Both Treasure, of Tansley Street in Sheffield, and Sykes, of Victoria Street in Stocksbridge, ran from the scene, but were tracked down by CCTV operators, as reported by Yorkshire Live.

Detective Constable Gareth Rees, the officer in charge of the case for South Yorkshire Police, said: "Treasure and Sykes launched an horrendous and random attack on a victim who they chased through a busy city centre street and stabbed multiple times in full view of passersby and a businessman operating a food truck.

"The attack was interrupted by an incredibly brave member of the public who rushed to the man's aid. The victim suffered extremely serious injuries which were initially considered to be life-threatening, and he is still dealing with the effects of the attack to this day.