Teen charged with stabbing murder of 12-year-old girl
Image: Merseyside Police
A teenager in Liverpool in the North of England has been charged with the murder of a 12-year-old girl.
Ava White was in the city with friends on Thursday evening for the local Christmas lights switch-on ceremony when she suffered “catastrophic injuries” in an assault, Merseyside Police say.
A 14-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged with murder and possession of a bladed article.
He has been remanded in custody to appear in court. Three other boys aged between 13 and 15, who were also arrested, have been conditionally bailed as inquiries continue.
Ava, who was described as “popular” and “bright”, was involved in a “verbal argument” which escalated into an “assault on her with a knife”, police say.
The offenders fled and Ava was taken to hospital after paramedics arrived but died a short time later.
On Friday, flowers were laid along a local street in tribute to the Notre Dame Catholic College pupil, as forensics officers and police searched the scene.
A balloon was left by 17-year-old Lacey, who did not want to give her surname, who said her younger sister had been close friends with Ava.
She said: “She was just a bubbly character, so loving and caring.
“She came out with her friends to enjoy herself and I think it’s just wrong that this has happened.”
Head teacher Peter Duffy said: “She was an incredibly popular girl with a fantastic group of friends.”
Assistant Chief Constable Ngaire Waine said the incident was “sad for the city” but “even sadder” for Ava’s family.
On Saturday, police issued an image of a van that may have been occupied by key witnesses to the killing.