Milton Keynes murders: Man arrested after teen boys stabbed to death by masked intruders

21 October 2019, 08:24

A 21-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after two teenagers were stabbed to death at a house party in Milton Keynes.

The two teenagers were attacked by masked intruders who burst into the property, police said.

The victims, both 17, were knifed to death during the private celebration, which was said to be for a girl who lived at the house in Archford Croft, Milton Keynes.

One of the boys died at the scene, while the other was taken to hospital but died in the early hours of Sunday.

The two victims have been named locally as Dom Ansah and Ben Gillham-Rice.

Two other boys, aged 17 and 23, were also injured and and taken for medical treatment.

One of them has now been discharged, while the other remains in hospital where his is recovering from his injuries.

Detective Chief Superintendent Ian Hunter said there had been about 15 to 20 people at the party and that "the people directly involved in this incident are all likely to have known each other".

He added: "We know that the party was a private birthday party, and although we believe that all of those involved were known to each other, we believe that those responsible arrived at the party uninvited, wore face coverings and they were armed with knives in what appears to be a targeted attack."

DCS Hunter also appealed for information into the killings, and urged those responsible to hand themselves in.

He said: "I have a clear message to those responsible.

"We are looking for you and I urge you to hand yourself into a police station as soon as possible.

"I also wish to remind anybody that might be assisting or asked to assist those responsible that it is a criminal offence to do so and can lead to prosecution."

Tributes were paid to the two boys earlier today.

Two tearful cousins of one of the boys attended the site of the killing to lay flowers on Sunday.

One of the cousins, who did not wish to give her name, said: "He's come here with his long-time best friend since childhood, comes to a party and both of their lives just got ripped away from them.

"He was just so respectful to, like, his family and friends.

"Many, many people's hearts are broken."

One neighbour, who did not want to be identified, said she believed the gathering was a party for a teenage girl living in the house.

Others had said a birthday banner was hanging on the door.

On Sunday, what appeared to be blood was smeared across the front door of a house in Archford Croft.

Two forensic officers could be seen inspecting an object on the driveway next to a black BMW.

One neighbour said she heard a "commotion" involving screaming, shortly before midnight, but did not see what happened.

"The police were here pretty quick," she said.

Another neighbour, who lives in an adjacent cul-de-sac, said that she knew the boys but declined to give their names.

She said: "This gang of kids have been hanging around Archford Croft - it's all gang-related.

"We do know that there was a house party at the time, not here but another part of Emerson. I think it's just because there was a house party and then the trouble started from there."

One woman, whose home overlooks the property's garden, said she did not see or hear anything and described the neighbourhood as "peaceful".

"It's just a nice peaceful part of Milton Keynes. There's never been any incidents, not since I've been here, which is quite a while now," she said.

The MP for Milton Keynes South said he was shocked and that he would be speaking to police.

Iain Stewart wrote on Twitter: "I offer my deepest condolences to the families affected and am available to offer them assistance."

If you have any information into the killings call the 24-hour non-emergency number 101, quoting the unique reference number 1761 of 19 October, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

You can also provide information direct to the investigation team via the Major Incident Police Portal at: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/43H219A75-PO1.