Ava, 12, is killed at Christmas switch-on
Four boys aged 13 to 15 arrested
POLICE are trying to piece together how a girl of 12 was killed while enjoying a Christmas lights switch-on with her friends.
Ava White suffered “catastrophic injuries” when she was attacked following an argument in Liverpool city centre on Thursday.
The first reports said she was stabbed but police later said a post-mortem was needed to discover how she died.
Four boys aged between 13 and 15 from Toxteth have been arrested on suspicion of murder.
Police say they are not seeking anyone else.
Officers found Ava collapsed in Church Alley, near the Primark store where her mum works, shortly after the city’s Christmas lights switchon. A passer-by was giving first aid.
Detective Superintendent Sue Coombs said: “Ava was with friends when an argument escalated to an assault involving a knife.”
The offenders ran off and the weapon has not yet been found.
She added: “There were an awful lot of people in town, so we’re asking if people would just check their phones.
“While taking photos, they may have picked up something of significance.”
Ava’s family are said to be “devastated”. Assistant Chief Constable Ngaire Waine said: “It’s very sad for the city, but sadder for her family. Their lives will never be the same.”
The four boys – one aged 13, two 14 and one 15 – remain in custody. Mary Katilius, 65, from Limerick, Ireland, was in the city centre when she heard screaming. She said: “My granddaughter saw young guys running off.
“We rushed over but a man was already helping her.”
Flowers and a balloon were yesterday left at the scene by 17-year-old Lacey, who did not want to give her surname, and her mother Stacey.
Lacey said her sister had been friends with Ava and added: “She was just a bubbly character, so loving and caring.”
Peter Duffy, Ava’s head teacher at Notre Dame College, said: “She was incredibly popular with a fantastic group of friends.”
Yesterday, the father of schoolboy Tim Parry, killed in the IRA’s Warrington bombing, revealed Ava had received a peace ambassador award on behalf of The Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Peace Foundation.