Desperate woman pleaded with stabbed boy 'stay with us' before he died with pal
A heartbroken woman has told of how she held a dying boy in her lap as emergency services raced to the scene.
A murder probe has been launched after two boys were stabbed to death by a gang of people, who then fled in a car. The boys, aged 15 and 16, were taken to hospital after the attack at around 11.20pm on Saturday, but died in the early hours of Sunday.
Police said they had arrested a 44-year-old man and a 15-year-old boy over the killings in Knowle West, Bristol, and confirmed that a vehicle had been seized. Police want to talk to passengers on a bus that was near Ilminster Avenue during the incident.
At a vigil near the scene attended by 150 local people last night, one woman, who has children herself, told how she comforted one of the victims. Julie O’Reilly said: “I was there. I went out to the young chap on the floor. I had his head on my lap.
“Trying to tell him. ‘Stay with us, stay with us – we’ve got help coming’. That was last night. I can’t get it out of my head. He was a good boy.” Another local, Rianne, said: “It’s shocking, really sad. I’ve got kids myself. I’ve just been in a right state. My kids have got to grow up around here.”
Baby boy has spent his life in hospital as doctors are 'scared' to discharge him
Police at the scene in south Bristol where two teenage boys, aged 15 and 16, died after a stabbing attack (PA)A large area was cordoned off yesterday and the area flooded with police officers and vehicles. Bristol Commander Supt Mark Runacres said: “This is an incredibly shocking and tragic incident where two young boys sadly died.”
Supt Runacres thanked those members of the public who have come forward with information so far. He said the support of the community would be vital in bringing those responsible for the killings to justice. This could involve people checking their doorbell footage or other cameras, he said. Police are also keen to speak to passengers on a bus - understood to be a number 70 that serves Knowle West - who may have vital information.
He also expressed sympathy with the community at a difficult time and said he wanted to make sure people were supported. "We've had great support so far," he said and urged anybody who could provide more information to do so as soon as possible.
Superintendent Mark Runacres talks to the media (SWNS)Formal identification of the victims has not yet taken place and a forensic post-mortem will be carried out in due course. Supt Runacres said: “This is an incredibly shocking and tragic incident where two young boys, who had their whole lives ahead of them, have sadly died.
“Our collective thoughts are with their families at what is undoubtedly a very difficult time. Specialist family liaison officers will now be assigned to the families to provide them with support and keep them updated on the investigation.
“A cordon is in place on Ilminster Avenue between Newquay Road and Tavistock Road, and members of the public can expect to see a large police presence as forensic searches and other enquiries are conducted. There are a significant number of properties within the cordon and we would like to apologise for the disruption caused, but we hope people understand the importance of the work being carried out.
People take part in a vigil near to the scene (PA)“House-to-house enquiries are underway and CCTV and doorbell footage continues to be gathered. We have also identified several witnesses who we will be taking statements from. Detectives are particularly keen to speak with passengers on a bus which was on Ilminster Avenue at the time of the incident.
“The neighbourhood policing team will be setting up a mobile police station near the scene. We encourage anyone with any concerns or questions to speak to any of the officers. High-visibility patrols will also be carried out to provide reassurance to the community.”
He added: “It is extremely important there should be no commentary or sharing of information or images online which could in any way prejudice and any future proceedings. It can be an offence to identify anyone who witnessed all or part of the incident as well as those who have been arrested.
A woman lays tributes (PA)“I’d also like to remind people of the impact the sharing of images, footage or even discussing the incident online may have on the families of the two boys. They are already going through the most difficult of times and you may cause them further upset.”
Disabled woman paralysed after falling from wheelchair on plane walkway dies
He added in a further statement this afternoon: "There are further suspects that are being sought amongst the group that we believe are responsible.” Referring to the bus passengers, Supt Runacres went on to say: "There was a bus that was in the vicinity at the time and we are keen to speak to people who were on the bus. The bus was just on its normal route, part of the normal transport around the city at that time of the evening."
"That's one of our appeals," he said. "To speak to people who were on that bus to see if they can provide any information to us to see if they saw anyone in the vicinity who could help us with our enquiries." The bus is still parked close to the scene.
A police parked at the scene as people observe a minute's silence (PA)"It can be an offence to identify anyone who witnessed all or part of the incident as well as those who have been arrested. I'd also like to remind people of the impact the sharing of images, footage or even discussing the incident online may have on the families of the two boys. They are already going through the most difficult of times and you may cause them further upset," he added.
Locals in Knowle West said the violence had left them feeling "panicked" and unsafe. One man, who did not want to be named, said: "I have two kids. My daughter is 23. My son is 15. Have a think about how I feel as a father? I feel so bad and panicked. My son is 15 - I can’t believe it. I thought it was a joke at first. How is this possible in 2024? This is the problem. I don’t feel safe with my kids here.”
If you can help, please call 101 and give the call handler the reference number 5224023382, or complete our online appeals form. You can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100 per cent anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their Anonymous Online Form.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
