Headteacher of murdered 12-year-old Ava White pays tribute
Ava was a "much loved, valued and unique member" of her school
12-year-old Ava White was fatally stabbed on Church Alley at around 8.40pm last night (25th November).
In response to her untimely death, Peter Duffy, headteacher of Notre Dame Catholic College, where Ava White was in Year 8, said: "Ava was a much loved, valued and unique member of the Notre Dame family.
"She was an incredibly popular girl with a fantastic group of friends.
"Our deepest thoughts and prayers go out to Ava's family and friends and all those affected by this utterly tragic event.
"My staff are working with students to provide all the support they need at this traumatic time."
Flowers in tribute of Ava
Ava White had been out with friends and was found by officers who were called to the scene to reports of an assault.
It's believed Ava and her friends were involved in an argument before she was attacked.
She had collapsed on the ground and a member of the public who had witnessed the incident was giving her first aid.
She was taken to Alder Hey Children's Hospital by paramedics but despite the best efforts of the emergency staff, died a short while later.
Police have arrested four teenagers on suspicion of the murder of Ava White.
Flowers have been left at Church Street in tribute to Ava.
One bouquet had the message: "Rest in peace angel."
Sarah Murphy, 42, who came with colleagues to lay flowers said: "I just cannot comprehend it, it's absolutely devastating for the poor family."
Cordon around the city centre
A large part of Liverpool city centre has been cordoned off during the police investigations.
Shops including Marks & Spencer, Primark and Lush on Church Street, one of the city's main shopping streets, were closed on Black Friday due to the police cordon.
Officers have carried out fingertip searches in and around Williamson Square.
"This tragedy will shake communities across our city"
Assistant mayor of Liverpool Sarah Doyle said: "I am heartbroken to hear that Ava White has died.
"I know news of this tragedy will shake communities across our city.
"My thoughts are with Ava's family, friends and school.
"We will do all we can to support the city and those affected over the coming weeks."
Four teenage boys arrested, aged 13 to 15
Merseyside Police have launched a murder investigation into White's death.
Merseyside Police assistant chief constable Jon Roy said: "Our thoughts and condolences go out to Ava's family, who are being supported by specialist family liaison officers. Their world has been torn apart and no parent should ever have to face that knock on the door from police officers to say that their child has died.
"We believe that Ava and her friends had been involved in a verbal argument which culminated in Ava being assaulted causing catastrophic injuries. And we understand that the offenders were then seen to run up School Lane across Hanover Street and on to Fleet Street.
"We have arrested four males, one aged 13 years, two aged 14 years and one aged 15 from Toxteth, on suspicion of murder and they are currently being interviewed at police stations on Merseyside.
"Liverpool City Centre was very busy at the time of the incident as the lights on the Christmas tree on Church Street had been officially switched on a short while earlier and we would appeal to anyone who was on Church Street who saw the incident, or may even have captured it on their mobile phone, to come forward."