What we know about the fatal stabbings of two teenagers in Bristol
Two teenage boys were stabbed to death in Bristol before their attackers fled the scene in a car.
The two boys were attacked in the city on Saturday evening and both died later in hospital, said Avon and Somerset Police.
The force has not yet identified the two victims but they have been named locally.
What we know
Two teenage boys, aged 15 and 16, died in a stabbing attack in Bristol at the weekend.
The two boys have not been formally identified but they have been named locally as Mason Rist, 15, and Max Dixon, 16.
Max's mother, Leanne Ekland, wrote on Facebook: "Devastated, our lives will never be the same without you my boy."
Max's sister, Kayleigh Dixon, wrote on Facebook: "My baby baby brother… one of a kind you are. You sleep tight, a beautiful, kind soul, gone. My heart is broken. I really hope you know how much we love you. How much I love you. You will be missed kiddo."
Avon and Somerset Police said the two boys were attacked by "a number of people" who got into a car and fled the scene.
The two boys were attacked in Ilminster Avenue, in the Knowle West area of the city, at about 11.20pm on Saturday.
Police arrived at the scene within minutes and provided first aid to the two victims, who 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.
Watch: Two teenage boys stabbed to death in Bristol
Police have launched a murder investigation and said a 44-year-old man and a 15-year-old boy have been arrested and are in custody.
A vigil was held near the scene of the attack on Sunday, where people lit candles and placed flowers for the victims.
England rugby star Ellis Genge, who went to nursery on Ilminster Avenue, wrote on X, formerly Twitter: "My thoughts are with the families affected by this tragic incident.
"I went to nursery at Illminster Avenue and although I know what the west is like, it still shocks you to see news like this.
"Kids in these communities need more support and help to be kept away from violence."
A GoFundMe page has been set up to give the two boys the "send off they deserve".
Scott Charles, 37, who lives opposite the corner of Ilminster Avenue, said: ‘It has completely shot the neighbourhood.
“I was just round the corner and heard lots of shouting, and the zooms of a car. It was pretty loud, I went into the shop and next thing I hear there’s been a stabbing.
“They were so young, it’s so awful.”
Julie O'Reilly held one of the boys in her lap after he was stabbed and tried to comfort him.
She said: "I was there. I went out to the young chap on the floor - I went out to him. I had his head on my lap.
"Trying to tell him, 'Stay with us, stay with us - we've got help coming'. I can't get it out of my head. He was a good boy."
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."
What we don't know
The two boys have not yet been formally identified and post-mortem examinations will be carried out in due course.
The motive for the attack has not yet been established and it is not yet known whether the attackers and victims were known to each other - Avon and Somerset Police said it is looking for more suspects.
The force said a vehicle has been seized but its connection to the attack is not yet known.
Officers are conducting house-to-house inquiries and several witnesses have been identified, while CCTV and doorbell footage is being gathered and a mobile police station was being set up near the scene.
Police said they want to speak with people who were on a bus in the area who may have seen the attack being carried out.
Mr Runacres said: "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."
Anyone with information about the incident or with any relevant footage has been asked to contact 101 and quote reference 5224023382.
