Smiling face of Ava, girl knifed to death at Christmas lights

As police continue to quiz teenagers...

PONYTAILS draped over each shoulder, Ava White smiles for the camera in her school uniform.

The youngster was stabbed just after 8.30pm last Thursday after joining a group of friends to watch the Christmas lights in Liverpool city centre be switched on.

As police last night continued to question four teenagers over the fatal stabbing of the 12-year-old, her devastated family yesterday released this photograph of her.

Officers arrested four boys aged between 13 and 15 on suspicion of murder and say they were not looking for other suspects.

They yesterday released CCTV images and appealed for the occupants of an Enterprise van who may have witnessed the attack to contact them. Police say Ava was stabbed after an argument broke out among a group of youngsters.

Officers arrived at the scene to find a man giving first aid to the youngster who was rushed to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital where she died.

Onlookers reported hearing screams before a group of ‘young guys’ were seen running from the scene. Police later arrested four schoolboys in the Toxteth area of the city but are still looking for the murder weapon.

Yesterday, Liverpool football fans at Anfield marked Ava’s death by bursting into applause in the 12th minute of the team’s match against Southampton.

Colin Parry, whose 12-year-old son Tim was killed in 1993 when the IRA bombed Warrington, has revealed he had awarded Ava the title of Peace Ambassador after she attended a charity course in 2019.

‘What a tragic loss for her family,’ he wrote on Twitter. ‘Our Peace Foundation will be at her school again on Monday.’

Ava was a Year 8 pupil at Notre Dame Catholic College in Liverpool. Its headteacher Peter Duffy said: ‘She was an incredibly popular girl, with a fantastic group of friends.

‘Our deepest thoughts and prayers go out to Ava’s family and friends and all those affected by this utterly tragic event.’

Detective Superintendent Sue Coombs, of Merseyside Police, said: ‘Four males remain in custody for questioning and a part of the city centre remains cordoned off while we continue our work.’