Photo shows friends gaming together before they're both killed in mistaken identity murder

Mason Rist, 15, and Max Dixon, 16, were both stabbed to death in Bristol after they were targeted in a case of mistaken identity as five people were convicted over the murders

A photo of two best friends sitting on a sofa full of concentration during a PlayStation game is one of the last taken before they were brutally murdered.

Mason Rist, 15, and Max Dixon, 16, died from stab wounds after being chased by four armed teenagers on January 27 this year in the Knowle West area of Bristol.

Riley Tolliver, 18, a 16-year-old boy, a 17-year-old boy and getaway driver Antony Snook, 45, were found guilty of the murders of Mason and Max at Bristol Crown Court after a six-week trial. A 15-year-old boy was also found guilty of the murder of Max after previously pleading guilty to the murder of Mason.

Tolliver, and the three boys, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had been driven to and from Knowle West by Antony Snook, 45, as part of a revenge mission.

The two boys had been wrongly identified as being responsible for bricks being thrown at a house in the rival Hartcliffe district earlier that evening. The teens tragically died after they were stabbed to death after leaving Mason's home on Ilminster Avenue in the Knowle West area shortly after 11pm.

And the families of the two victims have told how the two loved playing PlayStation with the image of the two eagerly playing a game appearing to be a familiar scene.

After the guilty verdicts were delivered, outside court, surrounded by members of both families, Mason's uncle David Knight said: "Our family, like most families, is like a big jigsaw puzzle and Mason was a massive part of that jigsaw and basically that piece of the puzzle has now been destroyed and will never be replaced, and will always be in our hearts.

"Mason was a real quiet boy who would never hurt a fly. He was just so loving and caring and everyone who knew him knew what a massive Liverpool fan he was, and the Playstation - it was basically his life. All I can say is that these animals took away a son, a brother, a nephew, an uncle, and a grandchild, and we must now navigate the rest of our lives without our puzzle piece."

In a statement from Mason's family, released by Avon and Somerset police, they added: "Mason was lovely and innocent. It is impossible to put into words how we feel. This whole process has been incredibly hard and hearing what we have heard, what happened to him, it is horrible to think about Mason's last moments."

Members of both families watched the court proceedings each day. In a statement, Max's family spoke of the friendship between the two boys, and their loss after Max went out to call for Mason to head to a takeaway on that Saturday evening.

"Max was a big character with a happy and joyful look on life," his family statement said. "He was funny, kind and caring. He was a huge part of the family and was very popular among his friends. He was full of life and had such a cheeky side, but was always respectful.

"The last six weeks have been emotionally draining. Today's outcome doesn't change the fact that two families go home without their boys. But we can now hopefully begin to process and remember them both and the happy memories both families have of Max and Mason.

"Max and Mason have known each other since nursery school and have always been in the same classes. We often joked it was a funny friendship as they were both so different but they bounced off each other and brought out the best in each other.

"We will miss everything about him. We are broken without him but he would want us to carry on and he wouldn't want anyone to be down. We need to thank everyone that's been involved in our case. We have so much respect for the hard work, dedication and support to our families. There are no words to express how thankful we are to everyone. We will be forever grateful to them."

The five found guilty of both murders have been remanded in custody and will be sentenced next month. Det Supt Gary Haskins, who led an investigation team that involved 238 police officers and police staff at its height, interviewed 45 people and included 1,593 exhibits for the court case, said he was humbled by the families of the two boys.

"Firstly, I am humbled by the families' strength, courage and dignity they have shown throughout this trial," he said. "Family members have been in court every single day and have heard things no loved one should hear. These five people went out that night to seek revenge, and nothing will ever justify their actions against two boys who are so beautiful and innocent. The injuries those boys sustained were unsurvivable and I want to commend the officers, paramedics and members of the public for their efforts that night to provide first aid to Max and Mason.

"I also want to recognise the incredible work of my officers and staff within MCIT, and those from other departments within the organisation, who have helped bring this case to trial. This has been a huge investigation which has pooled resources from three different forces."