A teenager has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a 15-year-old girl died and a 16-year-old boy was injured in a suspected 'stabbing'.
Two teenagers, a girl and a boy, were found seriously injured in the Priestpopple area of Hexham in Northumberland at around 5pm on Friday. They had suffered wounds consistent with having been caused by a bladed article.
The girl, 15, was transported to hospital but sadly died later that evening. The boy, 16, suffered serious, non-life-threatening injuries and remains in hospital in a stable condition.
Read more: Floral tributes left to alleged Hexham murder victim, 15, with police probe underway
On Saturday afternoon, Northumbria Police confirmed that a 16-year-old boy, who was initially arrested on suspicion of assault, has now been arrested on suspicion of murder. He remains in police custody.
Chief Superintendent Sam Rennison, Area Commander for Northumberland and North Tyneside, said officers believe all of those involved are known to each other.
She said: "I can confirm we have launched a murder investigation following the tragic death of a 15-year-old girl yesterday. A 16-year-old boy, who was also injured during the incident, remains in hospital in a stable condition.
"The tragic news comes after we were contacted shortly after 5.10 yesterday by the ambulance service to reports of a teenage girl and boy being injured in the Priestpopple area of the town centre.
"Emergency services attended the scene where they found the boy and girl suffered serious injuries consistent with being caused by a bladed weapon.
"An investigation was immediately launched, and while this is at the very early stages, we do believe all those involved are known to each other.
"I can confirm a 16-year-old boy, initially arrested on suspicion of assault, has now been arrested on suspicion of murder. He remains in police custody at this time."
Chief Superintendent Rennison said it is a "devastating" time for the families of the young people involved and that officers will continue to provide them with specialist support and advice.
She added: "We are determined to find out exactly what happened yesterday and bring anyone involved to justice.
"We recognise the impact that these incidents can have within communities and our officers will remain in the area to carry out a range of inquiries."
Notes on floral tributes left near the scene identify the killed girl as 'Holly'.
One, heartbreakingly, reads: "All our love to the most beautiful girl in the world. We will miss you forever Holly". Another touching tribute read: "Lots of love Holly. The best big sister in the world". Another read: "To our baby Holly. Our hearts hurt so much right now. We love you so much".
The community in Hexham, which was named one of the happiest in the UK, has been left in shock.
Mayor Derek Kennedy said: "It's an absolute tragedy, the town is in complete shock, to lose one of our children who attends a local high school is just horrendous. Parents are really anxious for the health of their children because they're all a part of this community, the schools are all really anxious that their children are really feeling the pain and suffering and shock of such an awful incident.
"In the Hexham community we have a very low crime rate, generally, it's a community that looks after one another, we were awarded the happiest place to live in Great Britain last year. It's a very warm and loving community so for a tragedy such as this to happen, we always find it much more difficult and it's knocked everyone for six.
"To happen to such a young person and the alleged perpetrator to be a young person, in the high street at 5pm, is just shocking, everyone is just shocked and struggling to come to terms with it, it will ruin so many lives."
Cllr Suzanne Fairless-Aitken of Hexham East ward described the incident as a "senseless tragedy" which has "really rocked the core of the community".
Guy Opperman, MP for Hexham said that he is "horrified that such a tragic incident" has taken place in the town. He added: "My thoughts and heartfelt sympathies are with the families of those involved."
Cllr Glen Sanderson, Leader of Northumberland County Council, said the council was attempting to provide "every support we can." He said: "We are deeply saddened to hear about this tragic incident in Hexham and our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the young people's’ families and friends at this very distressing time."
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