Young father murdered at birthday party

Aug 5 2007 By Caroline Innes, Liverpool Daily Post

Huyton murder

A YOUNG father was stabbed to death as he left a 25th birthday party with his girlfriend.

Thomas Harrison, 29, described locally as a “jolly, popular and friendly” man was stabbed in Edinburgh Drive, outside Saint John’s Social Club in Huyton, where he had attended a party with his girlfriend and friends. He was stabbed three times, once fatally through the heart, and died in his girlfriend’s arms.

Merseyside Police last night revealed that at least two gun shots had also been heard during the fatal stabbing at approximately 2.30am yesterday.

They said dozens of officers were in the process of searching the scene, close to the junction with Edinburgh Drive and Manor Farm Road, for spent cartridges and any other evidence that shots had been fired.

They said that they have not yet discovered a motive for the attack but could however categorically state that it was not gang related.

After speaking to residents, detectives are following a number of lines of inquiry - including names of possible suspects.

It is understood locally that the stabbing followed an earlier argumnet with a man who had also attended the party and is believed to be a friend of Mr Harrison.

A Merseyside Police spokesman said: “Thomas Harrison was treated at the scene byparamedics and taken to Whiston hospital where he died a short time later.

“He had suffered a fatal stab wound to the chest.

“At this stage of the investigation the motive for his murder is unclear and detectives are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

“It's thought that Thomas had been at a social function at the nearby St John’s Social Club earlier in the evening and detectives are trying to establish his exact movements from the time he left the club to the incident in which he was attacked.

“Initial enquiries suggest that he may have had an altercation with a man outside the club on Manor Farm Road up to half an hour before he was found with his injuries.

“We have had reports that guns were fired and we are looking fro evidence of guns being fired at the scene and to see what links they may have had to this crime.

“High visibility patrols are in the area to reassure the local community.

“Officers are carrying out house to house enquiries and examining CCTV from the surrounding area to build a picture of events leading up to the murder.

“It's believed there were a number of people in the area around the time of the incident and police are appealing for them to come forward.”

• POLICE would like to speak to anyone who may have seen the argument and are keen to trace the other man involved. Any witnesses and anyone with any information in relation to the incident are asked to contact Kirkby CID on 0151 777 6565 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

For more on this breaking news story, read Monday's Liverpool Daily Post.