The 23-year-old man who was stabbed to death on the dance floor of a Birmingham nightclub has been named as footballer Cody Fisher.
His family said in a statement: “They have broken our hearts; I have lost my best friend. My family and I are asking for privacy and respectfulness at this heart-breaking time,” reports Sky.
West Midlands Police were called to The Crane nightclub in Digbeth just before 11.45pm on St Stephen’s Day.
Police said Mr Fisher was out with friends in the evening when he was accosted and stabbed by a group of people.
Despite efforts to save him, he was pronounced dead about half an hour later. Police have launched a homicide investigation.
Mr Fisher played for Stratford Town FC who play in the Southern League Premier Division Central. He had also played for Bromsgrove Sporting.
Stratford Town chairman Jed McCrory told Sky News that “everyone is devastated by the news” and described Mr Fisher as a “talented footballer” and a “lovely, lovely young man”.
The club released a statement, describing Mr Fisher’s death as a “tragic loss”, adding: “Our sincere condolences go to the family and friends of Cody,” reports Sky.
One of Mr Fisher’s friends, who played with him at Bromsgrove last season, told Sky News: “He was genuinely one of the nicest people you could hope to meet. He’d do anything for you.”
The friend said Mr. Fisher texted him last night to ask if he was going out that night, but he opted not to go.
Police said hundreds of people were at the nightclub at the time of the stabbing.
Security searches criticized
Detectives are monitoring CCTV from the headquarters and are urging anyone in the area to come forward.
Nightclub revelers criticized security searches at the event, describing a “moody” atmosphere in the venue.
Birmingham’s Sydnee Power described “groups of lads” who “looking to cause trouble”.
The 23-year-old said there was a “very weird vibe” and added: “There were just groups of lads everywhere, most of them looked moody…A lot of them were definitely looking to cause trouble, they clearly weren’t there to enjoy the music,” reports Sky.
An 18-year-old man from Wolverhampton, who asked not to be identified, said the crash was a “disaster waiting to happen”.
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