Four teenagers are arrested after girl, 12, stabbed to death in city centre street
FOUR teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of the murder of a 12-year-old girl who was assaulted and stabbed in a city centre.
Ava White was given first aid by a member of the public and was later taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Liverpool, where she died, Merseyside Police said.
In a statement, the force said: “Four males – one aged 13, two aged 14 years and one aged 15 years, all from Toxteth – have been arrested on suspicion of murder.”
Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Constable Jon Roy said officers believe the victim and her friends had been involved in an argument before she was attacked.
He said: “Our thoughts and condolences go out to Ava’s family, who are being supported by specialist family liaison officers. Their world has been torn apart and no parent should ever have to face that knock on the door from police officers to say that their child has died.
“We believe Ava and her friends had been involved in a verbal argument, which culminated in Ava being assaulted causing catastrophic injuries. And we understand that the offenders were then seen to run up School Lane across Hanover Street and on to Fleet Street.”
A large part of Liverpool city centre has been cordoned off during the police investigations.
Officers carried out fingertip searches in and around Williamson Square.
Shops including Marks & Spencer, Primark and Lush in Church Street, one of the city’s main shopping streets, were closed yesterday – Black Friday – due to the police cordon.
Assistant mayor of Liverpool Sarah Doyle said: “I am heartbroken to hear Ava White has died.
“I know news of this tragedy will shake communities across our city.
“My thoughts are with Ava’s family, friends and school. We will do all we can to support the city and those affected over the coming weeks.”
A spokesman for Ava’s school, Notre Dame Catholic College in Everton, said staff were working to support students.
Flowers have been left at Church Street in tribute to Ava. One bouquet had the message: “Rest in peace angel.”
Sarah Murphy, 42, who went with colleagues to lay flowers, said: “I just cannot comprehend it, it’s absolutely devastating for the poor family.”
Peter Duffy, headteacher of Notre Dame Catholic College, where Ava was in Year 8, said: “Ava was a muchloved, valued and unique member of the Notre Dame family.
“She was an incredibly popular girl with a fantastic group of friends.
“Our deepest thoughts and prayers go out to Ava’s family and friends and all those affected by this utterly tragic event.”
Mary Katilius, 65, from Limerick, said she had been in Liverpool city centre with her 18-year-old granddaughter when Ava was attacked.
She said: “We heard screams and someone said to call an ambulance.
“My granddaughter said she saw some young guys running off.
“We rushed over straight away but there was already a man helping her.”
Flowers and a balloon were left in Church Street by 17-year-old Lacey, who did not want to give her surname, and her mother Stacey.
Lacey said her younger sister had been close friends with Ava.
She said: “She was just a bubbly character, so loving and caring.
“She came out with her friends to enjoy herself and I think it’s just wrong that this has happened.
“All of her friends are going to be devastated, they’re such a nice group of girls.”
Detective Superintendent Sue Coombs said: “We know at the moment that Ava was with her friends in Liverpool city centre and there has been a verbal argument which has escalated to an assault on her involving a knife.”
She said a weapon had not yet been recovered.
She added: “There’s clearly a lot of CCTV in Liverpool city centre. We are able to say there has been a verbal argument and there has been an assault, and the offenders ran off up School Lane, across Hanover Street and into Fleet Street.”
Ms Coombs said a lot of the witnesses to the incident were young and would be given special treatment when interviewed.
Ava’s former headteacher, Rebecca Flynn, from Trinity RC Primary School, said: “Ava was a much-loved pupil, who was a popular, caring member of our school community.
“Our prayers and thoughts are with Ava’s family and her friends. We are left with lasting memories of a bright and respectful little girl.”