The mum of a teenager who was fatally stabbed at a park in Glasgow says her son might still be alive if bleed kits were available across the city.
Kory McCrimmon, 16, was stabbed to death in Greenfield Park in May 2024.
A boy, who was 13 at the time of the attack, was later sentenced to five years’ detention over the killing.
In the months since Kory’s death, community groups and emergency services have been working to teach young Scots about the lasting impact of youth violence.
STV News
Kory’s family have worked alongside the local community to fundraise for bleed kits in the area, with eight already secured and one installed at the Barrowfield community centre near his home.
An officer from Police Scotland led a class at the centre on how to use the kit, giving first aid advice on how to respond to knife incidents.
A group of around 40 people of all ages joined Kory’s family, who hope these sessions will soon be more widely available.
The ‘Parents Against Knives’ initiative was assisted in their fundraising by comedian Kevin Brannigan, who lives in Barrowfield.
He met Kory’s parents while hosting a Big Angie’s bingo event during the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, and joined their calls for kits to be installed in every secondary school in the city.
STV NewsSpeaking for the first time since Kory’s death, his mum Elizabeth told STV News said: “There’s been more and more out there about children getting caught with knives in school, from 12 years of age.
“I want to make sure there’s a bleed kit in every high school in Glasgow and to raise money for bleed boxes in parks and community centres because there’s practically none in Glasgow.
“I’ll always think what if one of those kits were nearby when that happened to Kory? Maybe my boy would still be sitting here today.
“That is what is pushing me. I don’t want any mother to be sitting the way I have for the last two and a bit years because you’re never the same.”
A fundraising event was held at Barrowfield Community Centre on Wednesday, with more than £3,000 raised to fund bleed kits for schools.
SuppliedIt comes after a sculpture, made up of over 100,000 blades seized by police, was unveiled in Edinburgh earlier this month. Kory’s family visited the site on Tuesday to lay flowers.
The Angel, which has its hands out in a “why?” gesture, was created as a reminder of the impact that knife crime can have on communities.
The statue’s wings display messages of love and remembrance from those who have lost someone to knife crime, alongside messages from ex-offenders who regret carrying and using blades.
The arrival of the sculpture at the Kirkgate in Leith came a year after John McNab was stabbed to death by a 16-year-old in the area.
In recent years, teenagers Amen Teklay and Kayden Moy have also lost their lives to youth violence.
Justice Secretary Neil Gray said: “My thoughts remain with Kory McCrimmon’s family and friends, and with all those who have lost a loved one to knife crime.
“I pay tribute to Kory’s mother Elizabeth and others who are working so hard to educate young people on the dangers of carrying knives.
“We are committed to introducing bleed kits to community settings across Scotland. This work will be informed by the advice and expertise of clinical partners to ensure that any rollout is evidence-based, safe and supports effective emergency response.’
“We will continue to work with partners to tackle and prevent youth violence and, in particular, knife crime through education programmes and by supporting organisations and initiatives such as No Knives, Better Lives, the Youth Navigators project, and the Mentors in Violence Prevention programme.”
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