A pair of 17-year-old boys who stabbed to death at a house party in Milton Keynes, were likely “targeted” by masked gate-crashers to the event, police said.
Tributes have poured in for the teenagers, identified locally as Dom Ansah and Ben Gillham-Rice, who have been described as childhood best friends.
Two cousins of the boys, who chose not to be named, said “many people’s hearts are broken” by the deaths.
Addressing the Ansah family on Facebook, another woman described the killings as “senseless”.
Detective Chief Superintendent Ian Hunter from Thames Valley Police said the event was a “private birthday party” and investigators believe the suspects and victims were known to each other.
“We believe that those responsible arrived at the party uninvited, wore face coverings and they were armed with knives in what appears to be a targeted attack,” Mr Hunter said.
No arrests have been made in the double murder investigation, but police said they are continuing to investigate.
“I have a clear message to those responsible,” Mr Hunter added. “We are looking for you and I urge you to hand yourself into a police station as soon as possible.”
Two other men, who are 17 and 23 years old, were also injured in the incident.
Although one of those men is still in hospital, police said he is recovering from his injuries.
A woman whose son was reportedly at the party told The Telegraph that one of the boys “died in his arms”.
“They were his friends,” she said.
Mr Hunter said the families will consider issuing a tribute at a later date but wish to be left alone at this time.
Iain Stewart, the MP for Milton Keynes South, said he was “shocked” by the fatal stabbings and offered his “deepest condolences” to the families affected.
Thames Valley Police have asked anyone with any information on the incident to call 101, quoting the unique reference number 1761 of 19 October.
Alternatively, anyone with information can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
