All of England in shock |
Lilia (9) stabbed while playing in the street
The residents of the city of Boston in the English county of Lincolnshire are in shock: On Thursday, a nine-year-old girl was stabbed in the street.
Lilia Valutyte was downtown with her five-year-old sister in front of a cafe where her mother, Lina, was working. The children were playing with a hula hoop on the quiet, cobbled street when Lilia was attacked with a knife at 6:20 p.m. (local time).
British media reports that the mother was the first to run to her daughter after the knife attack. Paramedics then fight for the life of the school child in an ambulance, but could not save it.
A forensics officer at the crime scene in Boston, UK. This is where little Lilia was killed
In memory of the nine-year-old, flowers and a stuffed animal were laid near the scene of the crime
A local resident: “I’m sure the mother wasn’t far away because she was always checking on them. She was a very quiet girl and I just can’t understand it.” Another resident said, “This shouldn’t have happened. A parent’s worst nightmare.”
Home Secretary Priti Patel (50) wrote on Twitter that she was “appalled by the tragic death of a nine-year-old girl in Boston, Lincolnshire”. Her “deepest sympathy” goes to the girl’s family.
A man reportedly ran away from the scene. The police are now reviewing footage from surveillance cameras. Forensics searched for evidence into the early hours of the morning while officers guarded the crime scene.
This surveillance camera footage shows a man or youth believed to be a suspect
The police set up a homicide squad and announced on Friday that two people had been arrested in connection with the knife attack. Investigators did not say whether they were teenagers or adults. Police believe it was an isolated incident.
Chief Superintendent Kate Anderson was in tears as she addressed members of the media
Chief Superintendent Kate Anderson said: “This incident has shocked our community in Boston and I would like to assure the community that we are doing everything we can to further the investigation and to support the family.” Lilia’s family is receiving psychological care. Anderson called on witnesses to contact the police.