Forensic police seen scouring stairs in flats where man was stabbed to death

11 December 2023 , 20:04

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Merseyside Police at an incident in Toxteth, Liverpool after a fatal stabbing (Image: Liverpool Echo)

Detectives have been seen scouring over a stairwell at a block of flats where three people were stabbed.

Forensics teams were scrambled to the site at the flats in Toxteth, Liverpool, on Monday after one man was stabbed to death and two others - a man and woman in their 30s - seriously wounded. Police are now investigating the attack as a murder, as a male survivor currently fights for his life in hospital.

A 28-year-old victim tragically died in hospital after he was allegedly attacked in a communal area of the flats. The female victim meanwhile was still in a serious but stable condition, Merseyside Police said on Monday.

At least one of the victims was reportedly seen leaving the building before collapsing outside following the attack on Sunday afternoon. The street was sealed off as helicopters descended and armed officers swooped on the scene at around 1pm.

Police at the scene of the stabbing (Liverpool Echo)

One woman, living in a property behind the flats, told the ECHO: "Initially I thought it was an accident on the road, I didn't realise it was so close. It's horrible. Why would anyone want to do that to someone?".

Baby boy has spent his life in hospital as doctors are 'scared' to discharge him

Another man said: "It's normally very quiet here, you don't even hear shouting. It's terrible to hear that someone died." A spokesperson for Merseyside has confirmed that the next of kin for the man who died has been informed.

Detectives meanwhile are investigating it as a targeted attack and said they were working on the theory that the attacker is known to the victims. Detective Chief Inspector Allison Woods said: "This was a shocking attack that has tragically resulted in the death of a man. Our thoughts are with the victim's family and specialist officers are currently supporting them."

A man and woman are still in hospital (Liverpool Echo)

"There are two other victims who remain in hospital after sustaining serious injuries in this attack. Although it's still early in the investigation, we believe this was targeted and that the suspect is known to the victims."

"We are determined to find the male responsible for this attack and we will be relentless in our pursuit. The local community will be concerned by this incident, but please be assured that our investigation is ongoing to find him and remove him from our streets."

"We understand the devastating impact that knife crime can have on individuals, families, and wider communities and our work to educate people of all ages of the dangers they pose continues."

Police say it was a targeted attack (Liverpool Echo)

"We are continuing to appeal for information and if you live in the area or were driving past at the time, please review your CCTV or dashcam footage to see if you captured anything significant. Our officers remain in the area to reassure residents and to continue with the early stages of this investigation."

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to direct message the force's social media desk via X (formerly Twitter) @MerPolCC quoting log number 451 of 10th December. You can also pass information via the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form.

Jonathan Humphries