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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Charlotte Hadfield

Everything we know so far after seven suspects arrested over Michael Toohey's murder

The murder of Michael Toohey sent shock waves across the city after the teenager was found fatally injured at an internet café.

On Saturday, April 16, Michael, of Oil Street, Liverpool, was attacked outside the internet cafe on London Road. He was taken to the Royal Liverpool Hospital with multiple injuries but died a short time later.

London Road became the centre of a murder investigation as the area remained cordoned off for more than ten days following his death. A total of seven people have now been arrested on suspicion of Michael's murder. Here's everything we know so far:

READ MORE: Mum of three killed in knife attack was 'life and soul of the party'

Police at the scene of the murder investigation on London Road (Liverpool Echo)

April 18

Detectives appealed for information about a vehicle that was seen being driven 'erratically' in the London Road area at the time Michael was attacked. They were also keen to speak to people who were seen standing at a bus stop on London Road and walking past TJ Hughes at the time.

On April 18, a 34-year-old woman from Fazakerley was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. She remains on bail following her arrest last month.

April 19

The 18-year-old was formally identified as Michael Toohey on April 19, after a post mortem confirmed he died of multiple injuries.

Friends and family gathered on London Road and Monument Place to remember dad-to-be Michael, as they released hundreds of balloons into the sky. Tributes also continued to mount at the scene on London Road as Michael's girlfriend Rhianna Draper said he made her the "happiest girl alive" in a heartbreaking tribute.

Michael's family released a powerful tribute through Merseyside Police, in which they described him as a "beautiful, well-mannered, placid young man". In the statement, Michael's family also made specific reference to Johnny Delaney, a cousin of Michael's, who died following an attack in Ellesmere Port in 2003.

A source close to the investigation later told the ECHO that Michael died after he was attacked by a group of up to eight men. The source said a weapon is thought to have been used in the attack which left the Vauxhall man dying in the street.

A shop worker said she heard 'screams and shouts' from the area at the time Michael was attacked.

April 28

A police cordon remained in place on London Road more than ten days after Michael was attacked. Detectives reissued an appeal for witnesses and anyone who may have dashcam footage in the area around the time of the attack.

Tributes to Michael Toohey outside an internet cafe on London Road, Liverpool. (Liverpool Echo)

May 16

Anthony Williams, 31, of Hillbrook Drive, Walton was arrested on May 16 and later charged with murder. He was remanded into custody to appear at Liverpool Magistrates Court the following day, May 17.

A 33-year-old man of no fixed address, who was also arrested on suspicion of murder, was conditionally bailed.

May 20

On Friday, May 20, a 14-year-old male from Liverpool and a 25-year-old man from Kirkby were arrested on suspicion of murder and later conditionally bailed.

May 23

A 20-year-old man from Kirkby, and males aged 14 and 15 from Liverpool, were arrested on suspicion of murder in the early hours of Tuesday (May 23). They have been taken into custody for questioning.

Their arrests bring the total arrested on suspicion of Michael's murder to seven.

Anyone with information on this incident is urged to contact Merseyside Police through Twitter - @MerPolCC, by calling 101 or by contacting Crimestoppers (@CrimestoppersUK), anonymously on 0800 555 111 with reference 22000261976.

Anyone with any footage, can upload this to be viewed by police by clicking here.

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