Anthony Snook, 44, of Harcliffe, Bristol, has been charged with two counts of murder today.

Emergency services and local residents battled to try and save the boys by providing first aid at the scene in Ilminster Avenue, Knowle West.

Both youngsters were then rushed in an ambulance to two different hospitals – Southmead Hospital and Bristol Royal Hospital for Children.

But neither of them could be saved and they died in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Detective superintendent Gary Haskins, head of the Avon and Somerset Police major crime investigation team, said: ‘This is a pivotal moment in our investigation and Mason’s and Max’s families have both been informed of this development.’

Det supt Haskins added: ‘Specialist family liaison officers are providing them with support and we continue to ask their privacy is respected and they are given space to grieve.’

‘A total of eight people have been arrested as part of our investigation with five others in addition to Anthony Snook still in police custody.

‘Our inquiry is continuing at pace with than 100 officers and staff working around the clock to bring all those responsible for Mason’s and Max’s death to justice.

‘We will continue to provide updates on any developments when we can.’

Max’s sister Kayleigh posted heartbreaking tributes on Facebook to her ‘baby brother’ and described him as a ‘one of a kind’.

She wrote: ‘You sleep tight, a beautiful, kind soul, gone. 16 years so young and innocent, oh my heart is broken. I really hope you know how much we love you.

‘How much I love you. You will be missed kiddo. I’ll always look out for you in every sunset, shine bright lil bro.’

Floral tributes were laid for Max and Mason after a candle-lit vigil which saw locals call for an end to knife crime in the Knowle West area of the city.

A huge banner reading ‘Stop knife crime RIP boys’ was hung on a fence, while a note from the head of Oasis Academy, where they both went to school, said: ‘In loving memory of Mason and Max, gone but never forgotten.’

Anti-knife campaigner Leanne Reynolds, who organised a vigil on Sunday night, said the epidemic of knife crime had to be ended.

‘Change has to come,’ she said. ‘It can happen to anyone, it can happen anywhere.

‘It doesn’t discriminate against colour, it’s not discriminating against areas and we just need to all stand together and stand firm as a community and as a city to get change.

‘It’s shocking, but it’s not new. This is not the first time. I think standard first aid, bleed kit training and knife crime prevention should be put in the school curriculum.

‘It’s got to that stage now. We’re in a crisis.’

This is a developing news story, more to follow soon… Check back shortly for further updates.

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