News / Crime
‘We are all completely broken’ – community left reeling after murder of two boys
Floral tributes line the fence near the spot in Knowle West where two teenagers were murdered as the community is left reeling from their deaths.
A cardboard sign hangs from the railings with the message ‘stop knife crime. RIP boys’ on Monday morning as people walk slowly up to the area on the corner of Ilminster Avenue to pay their respects to the boys, Max Dixon, 16, and Mason Rist, 15.
“We are all completely broken,” says one written tribute.
is needed now More than ever
“You were the loveliest boys with the purest souls and hearts of gold.”
A football shirt attached to the fence has been signed to Max from “All at Park Knowle FC.”
Another message says: “Today, there will be a smile missing in my classroom.”
“We are all completely broken” – a community mourns the death of Max and Mason
Floral tributes line the fence near the spot in Knowle West where two teenagers were murdered as the community is left reeling from their deaths
Teachers, friends, family and people across Bristol are among those who have paid tribute to the two boys, who were attacked at around 11.20pm on Saturday night on Ilminster Avenue by a number of people who escaped in a car.
A murder investigation is underway and police arrested a 44-year-old man and a 15-year-old boy hours after the two boys died. Both remain in police custody.
Two other men, 20 and 22, were arrested on Monday and remain in custody.
Standing on the corner of Ilminster Avenue on Monday morning, reverend Clive Hamilton, a minister at St Barnabos Church on nearby Daventry Road says the community is in shock as he seeks to understand what can be done to offer support.
“Lots of people have questions and concerns at the moment,” says Clive, adding that knife crime is a growing concern not just in Knowle West but nationally.
Speaking about the loss of Max and Mason, he adds: “It’s just so heart wrenching and soul destroying for them – no parent, no families would be expecting to lose their children in any circumstances before their time – but for it to happen in these circumstances, violence, is just even more raw and devastating.”
The deaths of two young teenagers has devastated a community that has been holding regular meetings to discuss how to tackle knife crime.
Police and MP Karin Smyth joined residents for a meeting at Eagle House on Newquay Road on Monday, just up the road from where Max and Mason were stabbed.
“Where do we go from here? There are now two families suffering,” says Paul Green, speaking outside Eagle House.
Paul, whose mum grew up on Newquay Road, used to work at the former youth centre just opposite from the community building. He says the decimation of youth services over the last decade has led to the rise in knife crime.
“It [a youth centre] would give them a sense of belonging, somewhere they can go in and somewhere we can communicate and inform young people about what’s going on in the water,” Paul tells Bristol24/7.
“If there’s an issue with you or your family, come and talk to a youth worker. It’s about empowering young people to enable them to make informed decisions about what they want.”
Leanne Reynolds, who has been campaigning for bleed kits in Bristol, made an emotional plea for people not to carry knives
Leanne Reynolds, who has been campaigning for bleed kits in Bristol, made an emotional plea at a vigil for Max and Mason on Sunday night.
Speaking after the meeting on Monday, Leanne says her aim is to get knife crime prevention taught as part of the curriculum so that children as young as eight are taught CPR, first aid skills, how to use a bleed kit and knife crime prevention.
To anyone who might carry a knife or be tempted to, she has this message: “A knife doesn’t protect you. Please use the knife surrender bins in the community. Go and seek help, go and talk to someone.
“I understand you might carry a knife because you are scared but it will not save you. I can’t emphasise enough, stop carrying a knife, we don’t want them on our streets – we are going to end up with more tragedies.”
Leaving the meeting at Eagle House, an 18-year-old who didn’t want to be named, says many in the community are left heartbroken and scared.
“That could have been my sister, that could be anyone in my family,” says the teenager who has lived in Knowle West all her life.
“You literally worry every day.”
Bristol police commander, superintendent Mark Runacres, said “the devastation felt by the community following this incident is clear”.
Speaking on Monday, Runacres said: “Any death is awful, but the loss of Mason and Max, who had their whole lives in front of them, is particularly tragic and my heart breaks for the families who have to endure such unimaginable pain and suffering. Our thoughts remain with them during this time.
“We have a team of highly professional, dedicated officers who are working 24/7 to identify those involved in this dreadful incident and bring them to justice. Our specialist family liaison officers continue to support and update the families and informed them earlier about the arrests we’ve made today.
“The devastation felt by the community following this incident is clear. More than 150 people attended a vigil near the scene yesterday evening (Sunday) while there was also a large turnout at a residents’ meeting earlier today.
“I’d like to reassure everyone of our commitment to working with residents, our partners in the council, staff in schools and the many others in the wider community.
“Our investigation is progressing well, with four people arrested so far and more arrests are to come. We are committed to doing everything we can to hold to account those responsible for this horrendous crime and to provide answers to Max’s and Mason’s families.”
All photos: Ellie Pipe
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