Boy stabbed to death by two people in masks in Bristol as murder probe launched

A murder investigation has been launched after a 16-year-old has tragically died after he was stabbed by two people wearing masks in a Bristol park on Wednesday evening.

Officers rushed to the scene in the St Philips area of the city near Easton at 6pm to reports of an injured boy. While emergency services attempted to save the teenager’s life, he sadly died at the scene.

Avon and Somerset Police said he was attacked in a nearby park by two people wearing masks, who fled the scene on bicycles. After he was stabbed, the boy ran towards Stapleton Road where he collapsed while a motorist attempted to help him.

The incident took place in the St Philips area of the city near Easton, Avon and Somerset Police said. It comes after two other teenage boys were killed in the Knowle West area of the city in January.

Mason Rist, 15, and Max Dixon, 16, were stabbed to death on the night of Saturday 27 January, with a dozen people arrested since then.

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A police spokesperson said: “We were called by the ambulance service at 6pm to a report that a boy had been found injured on the A420 West Street. Despite the best efforts of emergency services, he sadly died at the scene.

“The victim was attacked in Rawnsley Park by two people wearing masks who then left the scene on bicycles. After being attacked, the victim has then run to Stapleton Road where a motorist has assisted him before he collapsed in West Street.

“Detectives have now launched a murder investigation to identify those responsible and a critical incident has been declared.”

Have you been affected by this? Email tara.cobham@independent.co.uk

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Officers continue to make enquiries this morning, including reviewing CCTV footage and there will be increased patrols in the area.

Bristol Commander, Supt Mark Runacres, said: “Tragically, we have lost another young life from our city in utterly horrific circumstances.

“Our thoughts are with the victim’s family at what will be an unimaginably difficult time and officers will continue to support them.

“We are committed to bringing those responsible to justice and we will be working tirelessly to that end.

“While we are keeping an open mind, there is no clear evidence to suggest this is linked to other recent incidents in the city.”

The A420 was closed between West Street and the Lawrence Hill roundabout to allow crime scene investigators to examine the scene but has since reopened overnight. A cordon remains in place in Rawnsley Park.

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The force said the incident is a stark reminder of the “horrific impact” knife crime has the local community.

It comes only weeks after the death of teenagers Mason Rist and Max Dixon were stabbed during an incident in Ilminster Avenue, Knowle West, Bristol, on the evening of Saturday January 27.

Local residents went to help the teenagers and police were on the scene within minutes to provide first aid. They were taken by ambulance to Southmead Hospital and Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, where they died in the early hours of Sunday.

A total number of 13 people have now been arrested as part of the related murder inquiry.

More follows on this breaking news story…