Youth sought over double stabbing

Joseph Lappin was with friends when he was attacked

One youth is believed to be responsible for a double stabbing outside a youth club which left a teenage army cadet dead, Merseyside Police have said.

Joseph Lappin, 16, was fatally stabbed when he and two friends were attacked by up to 15 youths near Shrewsbury House Youth Club in Everton on Monday.

Police said one of Joseph's friends, 17, who was stabbed twice, was "incredibly lucky" to have survived.

Det Supt Steve Naylor said "one person was responsible for both stabbings".

Two youths who were arrested on suspicion of murder have been released on bail.

Joseph and his friends were attacked by a gang of youths, aged between 14 and 20, on Monday night.

'Fingertip search'

Senior investigating officer Det Supt Steve Naylor said: "We know that two people played a key role in the attack on Joseph and his friends.

"One of those two was the person responsible for both stabbings. Joseph suffered a single stab wound and his friend suffered two stab wounds.

"He is incredibly lucky to have survived and is now at home."

The third friend, also 17, suffered minor injuries.

Mr Naylor said officers have confirmed that the weapon used was a knife.

The weapon has not been recovered and police have sealed off a park close to the youth club to allow for a fingertip search.

Forensic officers are examining the area around the youth club

CCTV footage of the area is being studied to help officers establish the gang's route to and from the scene.

Mr Naylor added: "We know the group left the scene by walking through the park and we will search it inch by inch.

"Joseph had never attended the Shrewsbury House Youth Club before. He was a decent young lad who did well at school and had ambitions to join the army.

"He was a good lad who was visiting a good youth club. This was an unprovoked attack. I really don't know why it took place."

Detectives believe the gang of youths have no connection with Shrewsbury House but are local to the Everton area and probably walked to and from the scene.

The youth who stabbed Joseph and his friend is described as white, aged between 16 to 18, about 5ft 6in (1.68m) tall, and of medium to slim build.

The second offender, who is thought to have been punching and shouting at Joseph and his friends, is aged between 16 and 20, about 5ft 8in (1.73m) tall, and of slim build.

Appealing for witnesses, Mr Naylor called on members of the gang who were on the periphery of the incident and may not have known one of the others was carrying a knife.

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