Bristol stabbing teenage victims named as police hunt ‘further suspects’ who fled in car

Bristol stabbing teenage victims named as police hunt ‘further suspects’ who fled in car

The teen victims of the Bristol stabbing have been named locally as police confirmed they are still searching for ‘further suspects’ following the shocking attack

The victims of the tragic Bristol stabbing on Saturday night have been named locally as Max Dixon, 16, and Mason Rist, 15.

The pair were attacked by “a number of people” in Knowle West at around 11.20pm and later died in hospital. Avon and Somerset Police have arrested a 44-year-old man and a 15-year-old boy, but are still searching for “further suspects”.

People on a passing bus who watched the incident unfold have been asked to come forward with information.

It comes as heartbreaking tributes poured in for the boys from local people over the weekend. Max’s football coach, Scott Alden, wrote in Facebook post: “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.

“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. RIP Max.” Max’s sister meanwhile shared a picture of the two of them and wrote: “Fly high bro.”

On Sunday, around 150 people turned out for a candlelit vigil dedicated to two teens. Floral tributes at the scene of the shocking incident named the victims as Mason and Max. One of the messages read: “In loving memory of Mason and Max, gone but never forgotten.” Another, addressed to Max, said: “It’s so hard to accept you’re gone. Rest in peace Max, you’ll never be forgotten.”

Speeches were made at the vigil, a minute’s silence was held and people left their own messages and flowers at the scene. Others lit candles and passed them out to people wishing to pay tribute to the boys. Some placed placards nearby calling for a stop to knife crime. Supt Mark Runacres, speaking at a media briefing close to the scene of the tragedy in the Knowle West are of the city, said part of the police appeal was to see if anybody onboard the vehicle had seen anything.

He said: “There was a bus that was in the vicinity at the time and we are keen to speak to people who were on the bus. The bus was just on its normal route, part of the normal transport around the city at that time of the evening.” Police are not linking the bus with the crime, but think passengers may be able to provide information.

“That’s one of our appeals,” he said. “To speak to people who were on that bus to see if they can provide any information to us to see if they saw anyone in the vicinity who could help us with our enquiries.”