A double murder hunt has been launched after the teenage pair were fatally attacked by a gang of people on Saturday night who then fled the scene in a car.
The two boys were attacked in Ilminster Avenue, in Knowle West, to the south of the city at about 11.20pm on Saturday, Avon and Somerset Police said. Last night a 44-year-old man and a 15-year-old boy who have been arrested in connection with the incident remained in police custody.
A vehicle suspected of being the getaway car has also been seized. Police arrived at the scene within minutes and provided first aid to the stricken teenagers before they were rushed by ambulance to Southmead Hospital and Bristol Royal Hospital for Children. But despite the best efforts of medics both boy’s injuries proved too severe and they died in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Neither boy has yet been identified and post-mortem examinations will be carried out in the early part of this week. Leanne Reynolds, who has been a campaigner against knife crime and led an initiative to get ‘bleed kits’ installed around the city, lives near to the murder scene and helped organise an early evening vigil last night.
She said: “We have to stand as a community and show the love. We need love back to our communities.”
Bristol Commander Supt Mark Runacres said: “This is an incredibly shocking and tragic incident wheretwo 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 inquiries 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.”
Supt Runacres said house-to-house inquiries were under way and several witnesses had been identified. Appealing for further information he also confirmed CCTV and doorbell footage was being gathered and a mobile police station was being set up near the scene.
The attack comes just days after the parents of Nottingham stabbing rampage victim Grace O’Malley Kurmar, 19, demanded emergency.
