Teenager convicted of murder after fatal Birmingham stabbing
Both men are due to be sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court on July 3
A teenager has been convicted of murdering a 19-year-old man during a knife fight in Birmingham.
Oumar Traore, now 18, was found guilty of murdering Yassin Alama following a trial at Birmingham Crown Court. The fatal incident took place in Hutton Road in November last year.
The court heard that tensions between rival street gangs from the Aston and Handsworth areas had escalated in the days before the killing, with insults and threats being exchanged on social media.
CCTV footage showed Traore chasing Yassin's younger brother around a shop in Aston on the day of the attack. The incident was filmed and later shared online.
Evidence presented during the trial showed Yassin and others became aware of the confrontation and discussed carrying knives in response.
Later that afternoon, CCTV captured Yassin confronting a group of Traore's associates in Westminster Road while carrying a large knife. Traore was not present at that encounter but was contacted afterwards and informed about what had happened.
Prosecutors said Traore returned home on his bicycle, collected a knife and then set out on foot. Within moments of leaving his address, he encountered Yassin in Hutton Road.
The pair were both armed and became involved in a fight in the street. During the confrontation, Traore stabbed Yassin in the abdomen before fleeing the scene.
Emergency services attended, but Yassin died from his injuries.
Jurors heard that shortly after the stabbing, Traore shared messages and videos with friends, including footage of the knife used in the attack.
Detectives traced his movements to an address in Gordon Road, where they said he disposed of the murder weapon and his mobile phone, and arranged for clothing linked to the incident to be removed.
Traore evaded police for around a week following the killing. During that time, he was assisted by friend Oliver Gabis, who helped organise accommodation and travel arrangements at several locations.
Police eventually arrested Traore at an address in Quinton Road, Birmingham. Officers later recovered the murder weapon, clothing and mobile phone linked to the investigation.
During police interviews, Traore admitted causing Yassin's death but claimed he had acted in self-defence. The prosecution argued the evidence did not support that account.
After deliberating, the jury found Traore guilty of murder on 25 June.
Gabis, of Oxhill Road, Birmingham, previously pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice for helping Traore avoid arrest.
Both men remain in custody and are due to be sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court on 3 July.
Following the verdict, Detective Inspector Michelle Cordell said the case highlighted the dangers of young people carrying knives and attempting to resolve disputes through violence.
She said Yassin's death had devastated his family and friends and urged people to consider the potentially life-changing consequences of carrying weapons.