Tributes have been paid to a 19-year-old kickboxing champion and 36-year-old man after they were stabbed to death in a gang raid on a suburban cannabis farm.
Friends described Khuzaimah Douglas as ‘humble’ and ‘extremely talented’ at the sport, in which he represented the UK in international competitions, while Waseem Ramzan’s family have appealed for him to be ‘remembered in your prayers’ and called on friends to give to charity in his name.
Mr Douglas died as the fight spilt out onto the street in Brierley Hill near Dudley, West Midlands. Mr Ramzan was rushed to hospital where he died a short time later.
Witnesses saw a group of men breaking the property’s windows at 3.30am on Thursday and walking away carrying cannabis plants.
West Midlands police arrested two men, aged 23 and 21, in Holyhead Port, Wales, this morning. A 19-year-old man is in custody on suspicion of conspiracy to rob and murder.
Khuzaimah Douglas, 19, has been described as ‘humble’ and ‘extremely talented’ by friends. He was killed in an attack on Brierley Hill near Dudley, West Midlands
Waseem Ramzan, 36, was rushed to hospital where he died a short time later. Police have arrested three men, aged 19, 21 and 23
Flowers and a heartbreaking message have been left outside the home to the two victims
Families and friends have left flowers and letters to the two victims outside the property.
Mr Douglas’s fight club, USKA, said it had been left ‘absolutely devastated’ and ‘heartbroken’ by his death.
‘Khuzaimah was a kind, considerate, extremely talented and humble young man who everyone had a connection with, an older brother to the USKA Kids and a younger Brother to all the seniors.
‘To see the effect that this has had on each and every member at the gym last night was truly heartbreaking.
‘I can only imagine what his family are going through right now having to process the situation and come to terms with their unimaginable loss. Thank you to all the messages, texts and calls of condolences, they are truly appreciated.
‘Please say a prayer for Khuzaimah and his family and keep him in your thoughts today.’
A message to Mr Douglas left outside the property where he was killed said: ‘We have so much love for you our son, our brother, our nephew. We will miss you so much Khuzaimah, you beautiful soul.’
He represented England in kick boxing and competed at the International Combat Organisation’s World championships in Scotland, the WKO World Championships in Barnsley, and at the unified world championships in Tuscany, Italy, in 2017.
Police kept the road closed until yesterday afternoon following the attack at 3.30am Thursday
Police vans pictured blocking the road around the property near Dudley, West Midlands
Mr Ramzan’s family said in a statement that it is a really difficult time for themselves and friends of their son.
‘We would appreciate if you could all remember him in your prayers and if possible give to charity in his name,’ they said.
‘To God we belong and to God we shall return.’
Post mortems will take place for both victims to determine the cause of death.
Witnesses at the scene have said they saw police forensic officers recovering a sword from outside the home and putting it inside an evidence box for investigation.
Police officers are maintaining a presence in the area, but scaled down the cordon and re-opened the road yesterday afternoon.
West Midlands Police forensic officer recovers a sword from home in Brierley Hill on Thursday
Police are investigating after two men were murdered following the raid on a cannabis factory
Police at the scene in Brierley Hill after a double murder investigation was launched
Detective Chief Inspector Jim Munro, from West Midland’s police homicide investigation unit, said: ‘These arrests are a significant step forward in our investigation and we’re doing all we can to bring those responsible to justice.
‘We believe around seven men attacked an address in which cannabis was being cultivated and were confronted by people who were inside.
‘People may have witnessed the disorder, people or vehicles leaving the scene, or seen something suspicious. We need them to get in touch as every piece of information, no matter how small, could be crucial.
‘I’d also like to hear from any motorists who were in the area at the time and have dash cam footage as they also may have recorded something important.’
Dudley Police commander, Chief Superintendent Sally Bourner, said: ‘Our thoughts are with the families of two men who have tragically lost their lives.
‘This is an awful incident and we recognise the wider impact it can have on our communities. But what I would say is that we believe this address was deliberately targeted, it was not a random attack.’
A forensics officer leaves the scene during the investigation into the double murder
Forensics officers investigate after a fight spilled out into the street in Brierley Hill
Police tape cordons off the scene in Brierley Hill near Dudley in the West Midlands
A police tent is established at the scene as officers investigate the double murder on Thursday
Homicide Unit Inspector Nick Barnes said on Thursday: ‘We believe this property was deliberately targeted by a group of men who knew it was being used to cultivate cannabis.
‘Witnesses have reported the property being attacked, windows broken, and men running away carrying plants. In the ensuing disorder two men have suffered fatal knife wounds.
‘We’re appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time and witnessed the disorder or people or vehicles leaving the scene to get in touch.
‘I’d also like to hear from any motorists who were in the area at the time and have dash cam footage as they also may have recorded something important.’
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: ‘On arrival, crews discovered one patient, a man, who had suffered serious stab wounds.
Police vans at the scene of the murder in Brierley Hill near Dudley in the West Midlands
A cannabis factory was later found inside the property on Pensnett Road
Two bricks are placed over a plastic sheet which appears to have something underneath it
Police activity in Brierley Hill after double murder investigation was launched
A police forensics officer takes a photograph during an investigation in Brierley Hill
West Midlands Police investigate the double murder in Brierley Hill which happened overnight
A police tent in Brierley Hill today after two men were knifed to death in a suspected robbery
‘He received specialist trauma care from ambulance staff at the scene, who also administered advanced life support.
‘However, despite their best efforts it sadly became apparent nothing could be done to save him and he was confirmed dead at the scene.
‘Around the same time, one ambulance crew and two paramedic officers helped to treat a second man who had been driven to Russells Hall Hospital, he too had suffered serious stab wounds.
‘Sadly, despite the best efforts of ambulance and hospital staff, nothing could be done to save him and he was also confirmed deceased.’
Anyone with information is urged to call West Midlands Police on 101 or message via the force’s website chat, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.