Teenagers who died after being stabbed are named as murder inquiry continues

TWO boys who died after being stabbed in Bristol have been named locally.

The teenagers, 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 they have launched a murder investigation.

A 44-year-old man and a 15-yearold boy have been arrested and are in custody, and a vehicle had been seized.

The force said further suspects are being sought in relation to the attack.

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 doubledecker 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”.

A note from their school, Oasis Academy John Williams, read: “In loving memory of Mason and Max, gone but never forgotten”.

Bristol Commander Supt Mark Runacres told how 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.

Supt Runacres said there would be a “large police presence” as forensic searches and other enquiries were conducted.

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.”