https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13018131/Boys-stabbed-knifemen-sister-tribute.htmlTragedy of teens killed in horror double stabbing: Heartbroken mother and sister of one of two boys, 15, and 16, knifed to death in front of horrified bus passengers, pay tribute to 'beautiful, kind soul' and 'one of a kind'
By Rory Tingle, Home Affairs Correspondent and Elena Salvoni
Published: 08:41, 29 January 2024 | Updated: 12:08, 29 January 2024
Heartbreaking tributes have today been paid to two boys who were stabbed to death in front of horrified bus passengers in Bristol on Saturday night. Max Dixon, 16, and Mason Rist, 15, were attacked by 'a number of people' in Knowle West at around 11.20pm and later died in hospital. Max's sister, Kayleigh, paid tribute to her 'baby brother', calling him 'one of a kind'. 'You sleep tight. A beautiful, kind soul gone. Just taken 16 years so young and innocent oh my heart is broken,' she wrote on Facebook.
'I really hope you know how much we love you. How much I love you. 'You will be missed kiddo I'll always look out for you in every sunset, shine bright lil' bro.'
Max's mother, Leanne, wrote: 'Devastated, our lives will never be the same without you my boy.'
Police are looking to speak to passengers on a bus that was passing through Illminster Avenue at the time of the attack. Scott Alden, Max's football coach, called him the 'cheekiest', 'funniest' boy and a 'very talented footballer'. 'He world is a cruel and dangerous place now, you will be missed by everyone who knew you, thinking of all your family and friends with love,' Mr Alden continues.
A GoFundMe page to raise money for the boys' funerals has been launched by Max's aunt, Christine Fothergill. Police have launched a murder inquiry and are vowing to 'leave no stone unturned' in the hunt for 'further suspects'. Two arrests have been made a 44-year-old man and a 15-year-old boy, who remain in police custody. A vehicle has also been seized as police continue their enquiries. Tributes were left for the teenagers at a vigil in their memory last night, where a heartbroken local told how she held one of the victims in her lap as emergency services raced to the scene. Parents and children were among some 150 people who gathered last night to pay their respects, with mourners lighting candles and laying flowers with messages remembering Max and Mason and expressing sympathy for their loved ones. Anti-knife crime campaigner Leanne Reynolds gave an emotional address to the gathered mourners saying: 'We need to stand up and we're not going to put up with this. No one should be on our streets with a knife. 'It needs to stop, we still need to push to get education we need to explain to these kids that knives are not the way. They need to stop carrying knives.'
England rugby star Ellis Genge went to nursery on Illminster Avenue, where the attack too place, and was among those to offer his support. He wrote on social media: 'My thoughts are with the families affected by this tragic incident. I went to nursery at Illminster Avenue and although I know what the west is like, it still shocks you to see news like this. Kids in these communities need more support and help to be kept away from violence.'
Teenager Shere, 18, said he knew the two boys well and was shocked by the news. Speaking at the scene today, he said: 'I knew Max. I messaged him yesterday morning to try and meet. We heard about the news and came down here last night. It is so messed up. Mason had only just lost his dad - I don't know how his mum is coping right now. Our mums are friends. It's a cruel world. More police are needed here to sort this out. They need to do more stop and searches on these lads and need to block off where they are getting everything from. It's not just knives, it's guns too it's all sorts. I just can't believe they are gone.'
One girl, who lives a couple of houses down from the scene of the crime, said she saw the aftermath of the stabbings. She said: 'I saw the group jump into the car after the boys were stabbed. I saw definitely two in the car, with three in a van - squished in all sitting in bunched together. It's why the police will find it hard to get them all. The bus stop is right by our house there were witnesses and I think a lot of them have come forward. It's been scary, everyone around here is shaken.'
Among the growing number of tributes left at the scene was a note from one of the victim's teachers. They said: 'Today there will be a missing smile in my classroom. You will always be remembered lovey boys.'
Local school Oasis Academy Connaught, which is a short walk from the scene of the tragedy, said it would be supporting pupils today following the weekend's events. 'Many of you will have heard of the tragic event that happened last night in our community. Our love goes out to all,' the elementary school said in a statement on Facebook. 'We will make sure your children have their adults available to talk to in school if and when they need them. Please look after each other and those who are in need at this sad time.'
On Sunday night, dozens gathered on Newquay Road, near the scene of the double stabbing, with many expressing their anger and sadness. A message on one card remembered Max as 'the loveliest boy' and said he 'will most definitely never be forgotten'. Another person said their 'heart is broken' and that they would never forget Max's 'cheeky smile'. Julie O'Reilly was among those in attendance - and revealed she witnessed the immediate aftermath. Visibly shaken, she said: 'I was there. I went out to the young chap on the floor I went out to him. 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. [Today has been] awful. I can't get it out of my head. He was a good boy.'
Another local, Rianne, said she woke up to the news. She said: 'It's shocking, really sad but you're expecting to wake up to something these days. I don't know the families I'm in the community, but I don't know the families. But I've got kids myself. I've just been in a right state. My kids have got to grow up around here.'
The vigil was organised on social media yesterday afternoon. One of those in attendance urged parents to be vigilant to prevent their youngsters from getting caught up in knife crime. 'We need to stand up now, as a community, as a city. We need to stand up and we are not going to put up with this. No child should be on our streets with a knife, they have no reason,' she said in video recorded at the scene
'Go home, search your children's room. Anything you find, get it out of the room and stand together. Don't be frightened to look for help. Don't let your children come in with new clothes, new trainers, and you don't know where they're from. They are being groomed, get them off the street. We need to work together as a community, we need to bang on doors. We need funding, we need our kids off the streets.'
Police scrambled to the scene 'within minutes' of a call to an address on Ilminster Avenue, in Knowle West, at around 11.20pm yesterday. Police carried out first aid at the scene before the two boys were rushed to hospital by ambulance after sustaining fatal stab wounds. Avon and Somerset Police confirmed that the boys had been attacked by 'a number of people' who fled from the scene in a car. The teenagers sadly died at Southmead Hospital and Bristol Royal Hospital for Children in the early hours of Sunday morning, with the boys' families by their side. Police have launched a murder investigation, which is being led by the force's Major Crime Investigation Team. A heavy police presence remains at the scene with house-to-house enquiries underway and CCTV and doorbell footage being gathered by investigating officers. Forensic officers could also be seen combing the street. Police say it is not yet clear at this stage what the motive was behind the attack or if the attackers and victims were known to each other. Neither boy has yet been formally identified and post-mortem examinations will be carried out in due course. In a press conference on Ilminster Avenue yesterday, Bristol Commander Superintendent Mark Runacers said that boys' families had been made aware of the two arrests, and are being supported by specially trained family liaison officers. He told reporters: 'The boys' families were with them at hospital and our thoughts are with them as they process these awful events'.
He added: 'I'd like to reassure people that we will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to catch those responsible for this reprehensible attack, and provide answers to the victims' families. We are in the early stages of our enquiry but we have already identified a number of witnesses who we will be taking statements from'.
Further suspects are 'being sought' amongst the group believed to be responsible, he said. He urged anyone who has any information to come forward to either the police or Crimestoppers anonymously 'as soon as possible'.
Detectives are particularly keen to speak with passengers on a double-decker bus which was on Ilminster Avenue at the time of attack, and remains at the scene. It's not believe anyone involved in the incident was on or got off the bus, Supt Runacres said. A mobile police station has been setup near the scene where a large cordon remains in place on Ilminster Avenue, between Newquay Road and Tavistock Road. CCTV cameras are dotted around the area - including one at the junction between Newquay Road and Ilminster Avenue. A worker in a shop on Newquay Road said the cameras were a sign of problems. He said: 'This area's been hit [bad] for donkey's years. Two young kids this time. You tell me any other street in the UK that needs two cameras either side of it?'
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.'
A woman who arrived at the cordon claimed her neighbour's son was one of the teenagers who died. The resident, who also did not want to be named, said: 'It was my next door neighbour's son right outside my house last night. No one's seen my neighbour, which is understandable.'
She refused to give further details. Supt Mark 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. 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 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. 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.'
Avon and Somerset Police added that 'tragedies such as this are a stark reminder of the awful consequences of knife crime'.
The force added: 'Reducing knife crime is one of our key priorities as a police service, it's something we work all year round tackling'.
Anyone with information about the incident or with any relevant footage, has been asked to contact 101 and quote reference 5224023382.
