Teen Allegedly Murders ‘Popular’ Girl Watching Christmas Tree Lighting

A teenage boy has been charged with murder over the death of a 12-year-old girl in Merseyside, England, last week.

The victim, Ava White, was in the city center of Liverpool with friends Thursday following a Christmas lights switch-on when she suffered "catastrophic injuries" in an assault around 8:40 p.m., The Guardian reported, citing Merseyside police.

The Notre Dame Catholic College student, who was described by her head teacher Peter Duffy as an "incredibly popular girl with a fantastic group of friends," allegedly became involved in a "verbal argument" that "escalated to an assault on her involving a knife," authorities were cited as saying by the BBC.

Officers later found White collapsed on the ground in Church Alley, according to the outlet. She was taken to Alder Hey Children's Hospital after paramedics arrived, but she died shortly after.

A 14-year-old boy, who cannot be named due to legal reasons, appeared Monday at Liverpool Magistrates' Court, which was acting as a youth court. He was charged with murder and possession of a bladed article in connection with White's death.

The boy was remanded in secure accommodation, and his case was sent to Liverpool Crown Court so he would appear before the higher court Wednesday.

"Because this is a murder case it has to go to the crown court, that is the only place murder cases can be tried," District Judge Wendy Lloyd said.

Three other boys, aged between 13 and 15, were also arrested and have been conditionally bailed as the investigation into the incident continues.

The suspects fled after the assault, authorities said. It was unclear how the four boys were taken into custody.

Detectives have urged people not to post names or comments on social media that could “potentially impact upon us getting justice for Ava’s family,” Merseyside police said in a statement.

"Please trust us that we are doing all we can to investigate and update people on this tragic incident, and we do not want anything to jeopardize this," Detective Superintendent Sue Coombs, who is leading the investigation, was quoted as saying.

Coombs urged anyone who captured the incident or its aftermath to send images or footage to police online.

You can pass information on with reference 21000820789 via ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre' on Facebook, 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their online form here.

Authorities have also issued an image of a van that potentially carried key witnesses to the incident.