A third man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering a footballer who was fatally stabbed in a Birmingham nightclub on Boxing Day.
Cody Fisher was died while ‘enjoying a night out with friends’ at Crane nightclub in Adderley Street in Digbeth, West Midlands Police said.
The 23-year-old from Redditch was a semi-professional footballer who had played for Stratford Town, Stourbridge FC and Bromsgrove Sporting.
Officers from West Midlands Police were called to Crane just before 11.45pm after reports of the stabbing. Mr Fisher was declared dead 30 minutes later.
About 3am on Thursday, West Midlands Police arrested a 22-year-old suspect in London. Officers said the man would now be questioned over the death of Mr Fisher.
He is the third arrested on suspicion of the footballer’s murder, while four others have been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.
Police yesterday said a 22-year-old was held at an address in the city centre and a 21-year-old man was detained in London.
A man stabbed on the dancefloor of the Crane nightclub in Birmingham on Boxing Day has been named as Cody Fisher
Video from inside the club taken before the stabbing shows hundreds of revellers enjoying the music amid flashing lights.
Detective Chief Inspector Ian Ingram, from West Midlands Police, said: ‘We’re making good progress in our investigation and are building a better picture of what happened.
‘It’s vital that we hear from everybody who saw any part of what happened that night – no matter how insignificant they think it might be.’
A relative at the Fisher home in Studley, Warwickshire, told MailOnline: ‘As you can imagine, it’s a very difficult time for the family. We’re devastated and trying to make sense of it.
‘Cody was a wonderful boy and the family had had a wonderful Christmas. All of this is really heart breaking.’
His girlfriend Jess Chatwin also shared a short tribute on social media. She said: ‘I’m so sorry this has happened to you my baby please come home. I love you for ever Cody Fisher.’
In an Instagram story Ms Chatwin posted a picture of the pair out for drinks with the caption: ‘My baby’s smile. How can you take him away? It was meant to be us for ever’.
Three men have now been arrested following the death of Cody Fisher, 23 (pictured with girlfriend girlfriend Jess Chatwin) on Boxing Day while at Crane nightclub in Birmingham
Crowds of people were seen enjoying the music and flashing lights inside the club before the incident
The Crane cancelled its New Year’s Eve event in light of the incident and said it was working closely with police as they continue to investigate.
Revellers at the nightclub criticised security searches at the event and recalled a ‘moody’ atmosphere inside the venue, where popular techno DJ Marco Carola was playing.
An 18-year-old man from Wolverhampton, who did not want to be named, said the incident was a ‘disaster waiting to happen’ because the security searches were poor and ‘anyone could have brought anything in’.
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He said of the entry: ‘Me and the friend I was with, not once did we get asked to clear our pockets out even though mine were full. I had cargo trousers on with pockets full.
‘They didn’t even touch me whilst searching me, they just followed the outline of my body with their hands then tapped me to say go on through.
‘Obviously you want everyone to have a good time and enjoy themselves [but] when we got in I said to my friend: ‘That’s the worst search I’ve ever seen’. Anyone could have brought anything in.’
Detective Inspector Michelle Thurgood, leading the investigation, said: ‘This was a young man enjoying himself with friends on a Boxing Day night out and our thoughts are with his friends and family today.
‘We know there were hundreds of people in the nightclub at the time. While we’ve spoken to a number of them already, we still need to hear from anyone who was there and who witnessed or even filmed what happened.
‘We believe that the victim was approached by a group of people, and was then stabbed, so we’re working hard to identify all of those involved.’
The scene at Crane Nightclub in Birmingham on December 28 where 23-year-old Cody Fisher was stabbed
Tributes have been left from the team that Cody played for and the school he worked
Stratford Town Football posted in memory of their player on Twitter, saying: ‘Everyone at Stratford Town Football is saddened to hear of the tragic loss of one of our own players, Cody Fisher’
Stratford Town Football posted in memory of their player on Twitter, saying: ‘Everyone at Stratford Town Football is saddened to hear of the tragic loss of one of our own players, Cody Fisher.
‘Our sincere condolences go out to the family and friends of Cody. Our thoughts are with you at this very difficult time.’
Non-league football club Bromsgrove Sporting also paid tribute to their former player.
In a tweet, the club said: ‘All of us at Bromsgrove Sporting Football Club are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Cody Fisher.
‘Cody, was a friend to many at the club and we send our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.’
Anyone with information or who was in the area at the time has been asked to get in touch with West Midlands Police via Live Chat, quoting log 3792 of 26 December.
Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
This is a developing story. More to come
The Crane cancelled its New Year’s Eve event in light of the incident and said it was working closely with police as they continue to investigate
