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The devastated family members of two teenage boys who were killed in a horrifying double-stabbing have told how their “lives will never be the same”.
Football fan Mason Rist, 15, and “kind soul” Max Dixon, 16, were stabbed in Bristol on Saturday night by a group of attackers who are said to have fled the scene in a car.
A resident who was first on the scene after the brutal attack told how Mason had begged her for help as he lay fatally injured in her arms. Kirsty Kidd told The Independent: “We tried everything, I just wanted them to be ok.”
She added: “It could have been anyone including my own children, that’s the scary part.”
Avon and Somerset Police have launched a murder investigation following the killings in the Knowle West area of the city. A 44-year-old man and a 15-year-old boy have been arrested and are in custody.
This morning, Mason’s devastated grandmother visited the scene of the attack, where flowers, cards and candles have been left for the teenagers
Gail Iles revealed the youngster was a devoted Liverpool fan who tragically lost his dad Shayne Rist to Covid. She said it would be nice if the club sent a representative in tribute to the boy, adding: “It is so tragic.”
In a tribute shared on Facebook, a woman believed to be Max’s mum told how her life has been ripped apart by the tragedy.
“Devastated, our lives will never be the same without you my boy,” Leanne Ekland posted, alongside a picture of the smiling teen.
Max Dixon, 16, and Mason Rist, 15
Max’s heartbroken sister Kayleigh also posted an emotional tribute on Facebook on Sunday, which said: “My baby brother… one of a kind you are.
“You sleep tight. A beautiful, kind soul gone. Just taken 16 years so young and innocent oh my heart is broken.
“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.”
A mother, who did not want to be named, said she knew both Mason and Max through her daughter who attended Knowle Park Primary School with them.
She said they were “lovely kids” and that the community had been left devastated by the news of their deaths.
“People are scared to be outside today,” she told The Independent. “It is complete shock. How can two kids be attacked like this in the place where they live?”
Tributes at the scene in Bristol
Tributes, candles and a family picture were left at the scene
Ms Kidd, 30, was first on the scene with her partner Scott Lovell, 31, following the stabbing at outside their home at around 11.20pm.
“I was sleeping in the front room and I heard a massive noise outside. I looked out and I saw the person [Mason] being stabbed,” she said.
“My partner went to him and his first leg gave way and then both this legs gave way and he fell into Scott’s arms. He said ‘help me’.
“I then came out with a pillow and put his head on it before police arrived. When they took him away I was so scared for him as I saw his injuries. And when they later told me he had died I was devastated.”
Ms Kidd revealed she has received a message of thanks from Max’s sister Kayleigh, adding: “We tried everything, I just wanted them to be ok.”
The mum-of-five said her eldest aged nine had only come in the house a few minutes before the incident.
Charlie Hicks, 21, lives next to where Mason collapsed to the ground. He told The Independent: “I found out from the sound of the police and ambulance outside. I was going to bed. I looked outside the window and I saw him [Mason] on the floor with people around him.
“They [Max and Mason] are both innocent kids. They are nice, Max loved his football and played for Park Knowle FC. It’s just so tragic this can happened, everyone is in shock.”
Police said the victims 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.
A vigil was held near the scene of the attack on Sunday, where people lit candles and placed flowers for the victims.
Tributes include flowers with messages reading “Mason and Max Rest in peace”, a sign stating “Stop knife crime RIP boys” and a note from Oasis Academy John Williams reading: “In loving memory of Mason and Max, gone but never forgotten”.
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe fundraising page has been launched to “give these two little boys the send of they deserve”.
People lit candles at a vigil for the boys on Sunday night
Candles and a card at the vigil on Sunday
Football coach Scott Alden wrote a tribute to Max on Facebook: “I had the pleasure of knowing you and coaching you since you were a young boy, you were the cheekiest, happy, funniest boy a very talented footballer who loved his family and friends.
“I’m so sorry this happened to you, the world is a cruel and dangerous place now.”
The tributes come as Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said tackling knife crime requires a “laser focus” as he called for the nation to “roll up our sleeves” and take action.
Responding to news of the latest tragedy during a visit to Warrington, he told broadcasters: “This is devastating for the family and friends of these two youngsters. I have teenage children myself. I cannot even imagine what it’s like for the family and friends.”
Hew added: “We can’t carry on with these awful stories of knife crime. We have to roll up our sleeves and do something about it.”
Detectives said further suspects are being sought and it is not yet known whether the attackers and victims were known to each other. Officers also want to speak to passengers on a bus which was on Ilminster Avenue at the time of the attack.
Bristol Commander Superintendent 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.”
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2024-01-29 13:45:43Z
CBMiZWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL25ld3MvdWsvY3JpbWUvYnJpc3RvbC1zdGFiYmluZy12aWN0aW1zLXBpY3R1cmVkLW5hbWVzLWFnZS1iMjQ4NjU0OS5odG1s0gEA
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