Four teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of the murder of a 12-year-old girl who was assaulted in Liverpool on Thursday.
Ava White was given first aid by a member of the public and was later taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, where she later died, Merseyside Police said.
In a statement, the force said: “It is with great sadness that we confirm that a 12-year-old girl, Ava White, has died following an incident in Liverpool city centre last night.
“Four males – one aged 13, two aged 14 years and one aged 15 years, all from Toxteth, have been arrested on suspicion of murder.
“Officers were called at approximately 8.39pm to reports of an assault.
“When officers arrived they discovered that Ava, who had been with friends, collapsed on the ground and a member of the public who witnessed the incident was giving first aid.
“Paramedics attended at the scene and Ava was taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, where sadly she died a short time later despite the best efforts of medical staff.”
Assistant Chief Constable Jon Roy said: “Our thoughts and condolences go out to Ava’s family, who are being supported specialist Family Liaison officers. Their world has been torn apart and no parent should ever have to face that knock on the door from police officers to say that their child has died.
“We believe that Ava and her friends had been involved in a verbal argument which culminated in Ava being assaulted causing catastrophic injuries. And we understand that the offenders were then seen to run up School Lane across Hanover Street and on to Fleet Street.
“Liverpool City Centre was very busy at the time of the incident as the lights on the Christmas tree on Church Street had been officially switched on a short while earlier and we would appeal to anyone who was on Church Street who saw the incident, or may even have captured it on their mobile phone, to come forward.”
Peter Duffy, the headteacher at Ava’s high school Notre Dame Catholic College, said in a statement: “Ava was a much loved, valued and unique member of the Notre Dame family. 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.
“My staff are working with students to provide all the support they need at this traumatic time.”
A Home Office post-mortem will be carried out to establish the cause of death.
