The grieving family of a 12-year-old girl who was stabbed only moments after Christmas lights in Liverpool was switched on said they were devastated by her tragic death.
Relatives and friends of the victim were still in shock as four schoolboys were being questioned on suspicion of Ava White’s murder.
According to Merseyside Police, the young girl suffered ‘catastrophic injuries’ after the attack on Thursday evening.
Four boys, one aged 15, two aged 14, and one aged 13, were taken into custody on suspicion of murder.
The headteacher of Trinity RC Primary, Rebecca Flynn, said: “Our prayers and thoughts are with Ava’s family and her friends. We are left with lasting memories of a bright and respectful little girl.”
Lacey, who said her sister had been close friends with Ava, said: “She was just a bubbly character, so loving and caring. She came out with her friends to enjoy herself and I think it’s just wrong that this has happened.”
Detective Superintendent Sue Cooms, who is leading the investigation, said the young girl had been involved in a ‘verbal argument’ that quickly escalated into an ‘assault on her with a knife.’
“We are able to say there has been a verbal argument and there has been an assault, and the offenders ran off up School Lane, across Hanover Street and into Fleet Street,” she said.
Assistant Chief Constable Ngaire Waine also said that the tragic incident was ‘sad for the city’ but ‘sadder’ for Ava’s devastated family.
“We will put everything we can to ensure we get justice for her but then I’m sure we will be looking at whether there were things we could have done, or our partners could have done, that might have made a difference, because we never want another 12-year-old, here or anywhere else, to be murdered when they are out and about having fun with their friends.”
When cops arrived at the scene, Ava was found on the ground and receiving first aid from someone. Paramedics arrived and the girl was rushed to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital where she passed away.
“Our thoughts and condolences go out to Ava’s family, who are being supported by specialist family liaison officers,” Assistant Chief Constable Jon Roy said.
“Their world has been torn apart and no parent should ever have to face that knock on the door from police officers to say that their child has died.”
He continued: “We believe that Ava and her friends had been involved in a verbal argument which culminated in Ava being assaulted causing catastrophic injuries.
“And we understand that the offenders were then seen to run up School Lane across Hanover Street and on to Fleet Street.
“We have arrested four males aged, one aged 13 years, two aged 14 years and one aged 15 from Toxteth, on suspicion of murder and they are currently being interviewed at police stations on Merseyside.”
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