Reece Cox: Fourth Sedgley murder suspect arrested in the Black Country
Four men have been arrested on suspicion of being part of a violent street attack in the Black Country that left a young father dead.
The men are all aged in their 20s and were arrested across the Dudley borough on Tuesday.
Two men, aged 22 and 24, were arrested from an address in Lower Gornal at 12.45am and a third, aged 25, was detained at another location in Lower Gornal less than an hour later.
The fourth suspect, aged 22, was then arrested at his home in Pensnett at 11.15am.
All four have been arrested on suspicion of murdering 24-year-old Reece Cox who was attacked in Sedgley during a night out on Saturday.
Detective Inspector Laura Harrison, from the West Midlands Police homicide unit, said the latest arrest was a "significant" development but said officers were still working to arrest further suspects.
“We believe others were involved and I would urge them to get in touch so we can discuss what happened," she said.
“We know who these suspects are and they are not doing themselves any favours by refusing to cooperate. We will catch up with them so I would urge them to hand themselves in for questioning.
“Anyone found helping these men, providing them with accommodation, giving them money or helping them move around, is committing a very serious offence.”
Mr Cox, who had a four-year-old son, was in Bull Ring outside the Clifton pub just before midnight on Saturday when it is believed he stepped in to protect another man who was being attacked.
He was then violently punched and kicked and, despite the efforts of paramedics, pronounced dead at the scene.
A fundraising page set up for his family has raised more than £7,000.
Dudley Police borough commander, Superintendent Jason Anderson, said: "This is a despicable crime where a young man has tragically lost his life.
"An entire community has been affected by this shocking incident and we urge those responsible to do the right thing and hand themselves in.
“Local officers continue to support the community and we thank them for the information they have already provided."
A tribute released on behalf of Mr Cox’s family read: “Reece was a great son, partner and dad; a gentle giant who was loved by everybody.
"We plead with anybody who knows who or where the offenders are to do the right thing and contact the police straight away."
Anyone with information can contact the police via Live Chat at www.west-midlands.police.uk or by calling 101.
To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Please quote crime number 20DY/194445N/20.
