Tributes laid at scene where teenage boys were stabbed to death in Bristol

Floral tributes have been laid for two teenage boys who died after being stabbed in Bristol.

The boys, named locally as Max Dixon, 16, and Mason Rist, 15, were attacked in Ilminster Avenue, in Knowle West, at about 11.20pm on Saturday.

Avon and Somerset Police said a 44-year-old man and a 15-year-old boy had been arrested and were in custody, and a vehicle had been seized.

The force said further suspects are being sought in relation to the attack and it is not yet known whether the attackers and victims were known to each other.

Officers are keen to speak to passengers who were on a double-decker bus that was travelling past as the attack happened.

A vigil was held where the boys were stabbed on Sunday evening, with people lighting candles and placing flowers.

Tributes included flowers with “Mason + Max Rest in Peace” written on them, a sign stating “Stop knife crime RIP boys” and a note from Oasis Academy John Williams reading: “In loving memory of Mason and Max, gone but never forgotten”.

Speaking from the scene, anti-knife campaigner Leanne Reynolds, who organised a vigil on Sunday night, said the epidemic of knife crime had to be ended.

“Change has to come. It can happen to anyone, it can happen anywhere,” she said.

“It doesn’t discriminate against colour, it’s not discriminating against areas and we just need to all stand together and stand firm as a community and as a city to get change.

“It’s shocking, but it’s not new. This is not the first time.”

She said members of the community had gone to help the two teenagers, including one woman who had stayed with one of the boys.

“It’s impacted them, like from old to young, and there were young people there trying to save them,” she said.

Ms Reynolds called for the ban on zombie knives to be sped up and added: “I think standard first aid, bleed kit training and knife crime prevention should be put in the school curriculum.

“It’s got to that stage now. We’re in a crisis.”

It is so heartbreaking. These two lads were the sweetest kids ever

A 17-year-old student, who did not wish to be named, said she went to school with Max and Mason.

“It is so heartbreaking. These two lads were the sweetest kids ever,” she said.

Wendy Radford, who has lived in the area for 72 years, said: “I couldn’t sleep. They have got to do something about the weapons.

“If they took a knife to kill somebody, they should go to prison for life.”

Jonathan Gill, who runs a local corner shop, said there had been anti-social behaviour in the area for years.

“People are afraid to cone out on the street,” he said.

“We need safe streets. Our street is not safe at all. It has been going on for at least six to seven years.

“Even old people are scared to come out to the shop because of the gangs. You wouldn’t come out on the street with 30 to 40 youths there.

“I’m really, really sad about what happened. We have never seen anything like this happen before.”

Bristol Commander Supt Mark Runacres told how local residents came out of their homes after the incident and tried to help the victims. Police officers attended the scene within minutes and provided first aid.

The boys sustained stab wounds and were taken to two hospitals – Southmead Hospital and Bristol Royal Hospital for Children – by ambulance, where they died in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Mr Runacres told BBC Radio Bristol there would be a “large police presence” as forensic searches and other enquiries were conducted.

Describing what happened, he said: “The call was received shortly after 23:15 GMT and within an hour we had the first suspect identified through the linked vehicle and in custody.

“People had come out of their houses into the streets to try and help the boys, and there are some really heart-wrenching accounts from people on how they sought to achieve that.”

Police are due to visit the school the teenagers attended, while a meeting is due to take place on Monday for community members to speak to the force and council.

Marvin Rees, the mayor of Bristol, said the incident was a “tragic loss of life”.

“I’m thinking of the victims and their families, going through a pain that no parent should have to experience,” he said.

“We will do all we can to support the families and the local community, working with the police.”

We can’t carry on with these awful stories of knife crime. We have to roll up our sleeves and do something about it

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer described the two deaths as “devastating”.

“My reaction to what happened in Bristol starts with the human reaction,” he said.

“This is devastating for the family and friends of these two youngsters. I have teenage children myself, I cannot even imagine what it’s like for the family and friends.”

Sir Keir, who was speaking to broadcasters during a visit to Warrington, said there had been a 77% rise in knife crime since 2015.

“We need real ambition by the Government. Make sure these knives are not available online – that can be done very quickly,” he said.

“So I would bring a laser focus to this now. We can’t carry on with these awful stories of knife crime. We have to roll up our sleeves and do something about it.”

Anyone with information about the incident or with any relevant footage has been asked to contact 101 and quote reference 5224023382.