Bristol stabbings: Heart-wrenching tributes to ‘beautiful & kind’ teenage boys knifed to death in the street by ‘gang’

HEARTBREAKING family tributes have been paid to two teen boys who were knifed to death in Bristol on Saturday night.

Max Dixon, 16, and Mason Rist, 15, were brutally stabbed on Ilminster Avenue in Knowle West, Bristol, at around 11.20pm on January 27.

Max Dixon, 16, died after being stabbed on Illminster Avenue on Saturday night

Mason Rist, 16, lost his life in the early hours of Sunday morning after the attack

SWNSThe teens were stabbed at around 11.20pm on Saturday[/caption]

PAFlowers and messages have been laid in the boys’ memory[/caption]

The teens were raced to Southmead Hospital and Bristol Royal Hospital for Children but tragically passed away in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Max’s sister, Kayleigh, paid tribute to her brother on Facebook and wrote: “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.”

Max’s grief-stricken mum, Leanne, wrote: “Devastated, our lives will never be the same without you my boy.”

Scott Alden, Max’s football beloved coach, also paid his respects and said: “Max, 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.

SWNSA heartbreaking note left for Max[/caption]

SWNSFloral tributes are left near the spot where two teens were stabbed[/caption]

SWNSA vigil was held on Sunday night[/caption]

“I’m so sorry this happened to you, the world is a cruel and dangerous place now, you will be missed by everyone who knew you, thinking of all your family and friends with love.”

A GoFundMe page to raise money for the boys’ funerals has been launched by Max’s aunt, Christine Fothergill. 

‘STAY WITH US’

An emotional vigil was held near the scene on Sunday where one woman, Julie O’Reilly, told the Mirror: “I was there. I went out to the young chap on the floor. I had his head on my lap.

“Trying to tell him. ‘Stay with us, stay with us – we’ve got help coming’.”

The heartbroken resident added that the victim “was a good boy”.

Meanwhile another local said she had “been in a right state” following the “shocking” stabbing.

“I’ve got kids myself. My kids have got to grow up around here,” the woman said.

Local school Oasis Academy Connaught, located near the tragic scene, said: “Many of you will have heard of the tragic event that happened last night in our community. Our love goes out to all.

“We will make sure your children have their adults available to talk to in school if and when they need them.

“Please look after each other and those who are in need at this sad time.”

‘The loveliest boy’

Floral tributes with emotional messages have also been left to pay respects.

A card remembered Max as “the loveliest boy” and said he “will most definitely never be forgotten”.

Another person said their “heart is broken” and that they would never forget Max’s “cheeky smile”.

Speaking at the vigil on Sunday, which was attended by around 150 people, one local said: “We need to stand up and we are not going to put up with this. No child should be on our streets with a knife, they have no reason.

“Go home, search your children’s room. Anything you find, get it out of the room and stand together.

“Don’t be frightened to look for help.”

Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “Overnight we have sadly seen further tragic loss of life in our city.

“I’m thinking of the victims and their families, going through a pain that no parent should have to experience

“We will do all we can to support the families and the local community, working with the police.”

The Reverend Clive Hamilton, Vicar of the nearby Saint Barnaby church, said: “It is absolutely shocking, but I’m afraid this is the reality of life in many parts of Britain, not just Knowle West.”

ARRESTS MADE

It comes as Avon and Somerset Police confirmed a 44-year-old man and a 15-year-old boy were arrested and remain in police custody as part of the double murder investigation.

It is understood a group of people, who fled the scene in a car, had launched the savage attack.

Leading the murder investigation, Superintendent Mark Runacres, the Bristol commander at Avon and Somerset police said it is “not known” whether Max and Mason were known to each other.

The force also confirmed they are looking for more suspects in their double murder investigation.

Supt Mark Runacres said at a press conference: “There are further suspects that are being sought amongst the group that we believe are responsible.”

Asked if the stabbings were a case of mistaken identity, he added: “I have no information that I can provide on that at this stage.”

Supt Mark Runacres also said a double-decker bus had stopped as the teens were knifed at the side of the road, and police are keen to speak to any passengers on board at the time.

“But I am here to reassure people living in this community that my officers will leave, no stone unturned in our efforts to catch those responsible for this reprehensible attack,” he added.

Cops confirmed a vehicle was also seized.

On Sunday morning, forensic teams were at the scene collecting evidence.

Ilminster Avenue, from Connaught Road to Newquay Road had been cordoned off and the area was swarmed with officers and vehicles.

FULL POLICE STATEMENT

In a statement Supt 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.

“A cordon is in place on Ilminster Avenue between Newquay Road and Tavistock Road, and members of the public can expect to see a large police presence as forensic searches and other enquiries are conducted.

“There are a significant number of properties within the cordon and we would like to apologise for the disruption caused, but we hope people understand the importance of the work being carried out.

“House-to-house enquiries are underway and CCTV and doorbell footage continues to be gathered.

“We have also identified several witnesses who we will be taking statements from. Detectives are particularly keen to speak with passengers on a bus which was on Ilminster Avenue at the time of the incident.

“The neighbourhood policing team will be setting up a mobile police station near the scene. We encourage anyone with any concerns or questions to speak to any of the officers. High-visibility patrols will also be carried out to provide reassurance to the community.”

He added: “It is extremely important there should be no commentary or sharing of information or images online which could in any way prejudice and any future proceedings.

“It can be an offence to identify anyone who witnessed all or part of the incident as well as those who have been arrested.

“I’d also like to remind people of the impact the sharing of images, footage or even discussing the incident online may have on the families of the two boys. They are already going through the most difficult of times and you may cause them further upset.” 

PAPeople took part in a vigil near to the scene[/caption]

PACandles were lit for the boys[/caption]

Jon RowleySuper Intendent Mark Runacres gave a statement to media on Ilminster Avenue[/caption]

PACandles and cards were left at the vigil[/caption]

Jon RowleyPolice cordons and forensic teams were at the scene on Sunday[/caption]

Jon RowleyA double murder investigation has been launched[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]