Gatecrashers suspected after boys killed at party

Police investigating the fatal stabbing of two teenagers at a house party in Milton Keynes now suspect the boys were “targeted” by masked uninvited party guests.

Although formal identification has not yet taken place, the victims have been named locally as 17-year-olds Dom Ansah and Ben Gillham-Rice.

Both were stabbed shortly before midnight on Saturday. One died at the scene, while the other was taken to hospital but died in the early hours of Sunday.

The two close friends were attending a private party at a house in the Emerson Valley area of the town, when they were attacked.

Thames Valley Police previously said the 15 to 20 people attending the birthday party, believed to have been held by a girl who lived in the house, were all known to each other. Investigating officers now believe that the attackers were not invited to the party, but were known to the victims.

Thames Valley Police head of crime, Detective Chief Superintendent Ian Hunter, said: “Although we believe that all of those involved were known to each other, we believe that those responsible arrived at the party uninvited, wore face coverings and they were armed with knives in what appears to be a targeted attack.”

A 17-year-old boy and a 23-year-old man who also suffered knife wounds were taken to hospital with serious, but non-lifethreatening injuries. One male has been discharged from hospital and the other is recovering well.

Mr Hunter said officers were speaking to party guests as well as the two surviving victims. No arrests had been made as of yesterday afternoon.

He added: “I have a clear message to those responsible. We are looking for you and I urge you to hand yourself in to a police station as soon as possible.”

Police cordon off the street where the party was held

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