Youth club stab victim identified

A 16-year-old boy fatally stabbed outside a youth club on Merseyside has been identified by police.

Joseph Lappin was with friends outside Shrewsbury House Youth Club in Everton, Liverpool, on Monday night when they were confronted by up to 15 youths.

Detectives said the three friends were attacked after a short chase on foot.

Two teenage boys have been arrested on suspicion of murder, but police have said they are still hunting others in connection with the attack.

Detectives stressed they were also still looking for other youths who may have witnessed the stabbing at about 2040 BST.

A second boy, aged 17 and from Old Swan, also suffered stab injuries but his condition is not thought to be life-threatening.

A third boy suffered only minor injuries.

It is thought the three friends were waiting for their lift home when they were attacked.

They had been to the Monday Night Music Club, which is attended by youngsters from all over Liverpool who are learning to play instruments.

Ch Supt Steve Watson of Merseyside Police said: "The three victims had gathered outside the front of the club and were approached by a sizeable group of youths, about 10 to 15 in strength.

The parents of this boy have been informed and are, as you can imagine, distraught by what has happened Ch Supt Steve Watson, Merseyside Police �3m pledged to tackle knife crime

"The youths, without provocation, proceeded after a short foot chase to attack the three individuals. We believe there were two main offenders among the group of youths.

"One, certainly, has wielded a knife and what we are left with is a very tragic incident in which a 16-year-old boy has lost his life.

"The parents of this boy have been informed and are, as you can imagine, distraught by what has happened."

Ch Supt Watson said about 60 youngsters attended the youth club.

It is unclear whether the gang of offenders had also been inside the club before the attack.

No motive

He said: "A number of people are helping with inquiries but there are also a number of people on the periphery of this incident that we want to speak to."

He dismissed suggestions the murder could be connected to gang-related incidents in Liverpool and added the club had never given police cause for concern.

"The staff there are committed to the welfare of the young people who attend and actively engage with the youngsters successfully," he said.

"This part of Everton is not what you would describe as a hotspot for crime or anti-social behaviour.

"It's early days and we don't know what the motive was."

He was just an everyday cracking lad who wanted to be a part of everything Major Tony Kirkpatrick, Merseyside Army Cadet Force

Shrewsbury House is attached to the Church of England's St Peter's Church but is managed by its own board of trustees.

In a statement issued by the Diocese of Liverpool, the Rector of St Peter's, the Reverend Henry Corbett, said: "The whole community are shocked and saddened by these stabbings.

"We will be doing all we can to help the police with their inquiries but at this moment our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims."

A number of people have placed flowers close to the scene of the attack where Joseph, a member of the Merseyside Army Cadet Force, died.

Major Tony Kirkpatrick, cadet executive officer, said the Army's thoughts were with his family.

"He was just an everyday cracking lad who wanted to be a part of everything," said the major.

"Joey would put his heart and soul into everything he did. We will all miss him tremendously."

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