One dead, one critical after two horror stabbings

Aug 30 2008 By Ben Rossington, Crime Reporter

A TEENAGER has been killed and a young man is fighting for his life after two similar stabbings in Liverpool.

Both took place at around 7am today and were, police believe, the result of arguments at late night parties.

Murder squad detectives are questioning a 15-year-old boy over the killing of a 16-year-old at a house party in Knotty Ash today (Saturday).

Police and paramedics were called to Ashcombe Road just after 7am. They found the victim inside the address bleeding heavily. It is believed he had been stabbed several times.

The teenager was taken to the Royal where doctors worked in vain to save him. He was pronounced dead a short time after arriving.

The boy’s parents have been informed and are said to be “devastated”. A Home Office post-mortem was taking place this afternoon to confirm the cause of death.

The boy’s identity has not yet been released but is expected to be soon.

Some hours later, police arrested the 15-year-old suspect. He was set to be interviewed on suspicion of murder throughout today.

Police are now looking to talk to anyone who was at the party. It is thought the victim and the alleged killer were at the house because of mutual friends. Neither lived at the scene.

The house was sealed off while crime scene investigators worked inside.

Supt Graham Yip, of Merseyside Police, said: “It appears that this incident took place following an argument at a party at this property.

“We are appealing for anyone who was at the address during the course of this party to come forward and make contact with the police.

“House-to-house inquiries are ongoing and there is a high visibility police presence in the area.”

In a second, completely unrelated, stabbing, a 22-year-old man was left fighting for his life.

Again, police believe an argument at a party spiralled out of control and left the man, who has also not yet been named, critical in hospital.

Officers went to an address on Snowberry Road, Dovecot, at around 7am, to find the victim unconscious in a pool of blood.

He too was taken to the Royal, where doctors rushed him into the operating theatre to undergo emergency surgery.

A 23-year-old local man, thought to be known to the victim, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder. He was also being interviewed.

Several witnesses spoke to the police to give early accounts of what they saw.

Anyone with information about either stabbing should contact CID officers at St Anne Street police station on 0151 777 4065 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.