Two quizzed over street stabbing

Marlon Moran, 21, was killed by a single stab wound during a street fight in Garston, Liverpool, at around midday on Sunday.

Merseyside Police believe the handyman went to Byron Street with friends to confront another group following an altercation a short time earlier.

A fight broke out and he was stabbed. A relative took him to a walk-in medical centre, from where he was taken to hospital, but he died at 3pm.

Two white boys, aged 16 and 17, were arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder. Two others are being sought in connection with the attack.

Detectives were still trying to establish the nature of the initial row, but said that racist abuse was allegedly heard during the second altercation, prompting them to classify the crime as racially motivated.

Detective Superintendent Steve Naylor, who is leading the investigation, said the racial element was being treated seriously, but may not have been the primary motive.

He said: "I don't believe he was set upon because he was mixed race.

"I don't know the exact details of what took place earlier but clearly an incident had taken place, which acted as the catalyst.

"There is clearly a racial element, but there are other elements we are considering as well."