Police investigating the brutal stabbing of a 14-year-old boy near a McDonald's were seen breaking up a mass street fight at the scene.
Two groups of teenagers began clashing after they had had gathered at the spot where the unnamed boy had collapsed in Kingstanding, Birmingham, last night.
It comes as detectives said the attack on the child by up to seven people was not racially motivated.
Witnesses described seeing a "gang of white lads" attacking a black teenager like a "pack of feral animals".
One mum, who did not wish to be named, said: "It was carnage when I looked out my window, there were kids everywhere.
Have you been affected by this incident? Let us know at webnews@mirror.co.uk
"They were like a pack of feral animals the way they were swarming around him.
"Apparently a gang of white lads just jumped him, I don't know how many had knives but its just terrifying.
"He was only a child."
West Midlands Police said they had so far uncovered no evidence that race played a part in the killing.
The boy was with friends when he was chased along the road towards a McDonald’s drive-through at 7.30pm.
One of the youths then knifed him before the gang fled into a warren of nearby streets.
The boy was pronounced dead at the scene.
Det Chief Insp Stu Mobberley, who is leading the murder hunt, said “rapid progress” had already been made.
He said: “We know there tensions and emotions are high.
“We’re aware that there is some speculation in the community that this was a racially motivated attack.
“At the moment, there is nothing to suggest that this is a racially motivated attack.
“What we do know is that this was appalling violence which has cost a young lad his life.
“We still have witnesses to speak to, and I’d urge anyone with information to get in touch with us as quickly as possible so that we can arrest those involved in this appalling attack.”
A post-mortem will be held this afternoon.
