A 44-year-old man has been charged with murder after two teen boys were stabbed to death in Bristol.
Police have charged Anthony Snook, of Hartcliffe, Bristol, with the murders of Max Dixon, 16, and Mason Rist, 15, who were stabbed to death in an incident over the weekend.
The teens suffered fatal stab wounds in a Saturday night incident on Ilminster Avenue, Knowle West, and were taken to two hospitals in the city following a rapid response and first aid from local officers.
But, despite the best efforts of staff at Southmead Hospital and Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, the two died in the early hours of Sunday, January 28.
Bristol Police have hailed the charges against Snook as a “pivotal moment in our investigation”.
Following the news this evening, Detective Superintendent Gary Haskins, head of the Avon and Somerset Police Major Crime Investigation Team, said the teenagers’ families have been informed of the latest development.
He added that eight people have been arrested as part of the investigation into the killings, five more of whom currently remain in police custody.
Det Supt Haskins said: “Our inquiry is continuing at pace with more than 100 officers and staff working around the clock to bring all those responsible for Mason’s and Max’s death to justice.
“We will continue to provide updates on any developments when we can.”
“In the meantime, we’d like to remind people of the impact speculation, footage and images on social media could have on both Mason’s and Max’s families as well as on forthcoming proceedings.”
Snook will appear before Bristol Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, February 1.
The news came as Max and Mason’s families memorialised the two teenagers, with a vigil held in Knowle West on Wednesday evening.
Speaking at the vigil, Leanne, the mother of Max, said her whole family and the local community were “suffering” from the attacks.
She said: “I’ve lost my boy, and I’m never going to see that kid ever again. I don’t want anybody else to go through what I’m going through and what Mason’s mum is going through.”
Max’s aunt, Christine Fothergill, has launched a GoFundMe page to raise money for the teenage boys’ funerals that has already gathered £10,000 in donations.
