The circumstances surrounding the case of a Liverpool man who was beaten to death in Liverpool city centre have attracted growing speculation.
Michael Toohey, 18, from Oil Street, died after he was attacked in the Monument Place area at around 5.50pm on April 19. Police have since launched a murder investigation. Detectives have appealed for information about a vehicle that was seen being driven 'erratically' in the London Road area at the time of the incident.
The attack happened in broad daylight on a Saturday afternoon. Merseyside Police said a post-mortem examination had been carried out and the cause of Michael's death was described as "multiple injuries". Detectives were pursuing several lines of enquiry.
READ MORE: Floral tributes continue to grow for Michael Toohey one week after brutal killing
A source close to the investigation later told the ECHO that Michael died after he was attacked by a group of up to eight men. The source said a weapon is thought to have been used in the attack which left the Vauxhall man dying in the street.
A shop worker said she heard 'screams and shouts' from the area at the time Michael was attacked. Michael was rushed to the Royal Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Michael's family later released a touching tribute to him, who they remembered as 'kind, caring and courageous.' The family revealed that Michael had just moved into a house with his pregnant partner.
The circumstances around Michael's death are now attracting growing speculation. It is not yet clear what Michael was doing in the London Road area when he was attacked. There are unconfirmed reports the group of men who killed Michael are from north Liverpool.
Family and friends left floral tributes and messages at the scene of the attack on Monument Place. On April 19 around 1000 people gathered there to release hundreds of balloons into the sky in memory of the teenager.
A 34-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender was bailed pending further enquiries.
Speaking last month Detective Chief Inspector Terry Davies who is leading the murder Investigation said: “Our enquiries into this young man’s tragic death continue.
"Since Saturday night staff from Merseyside Police have undertaken numerous enquiries to understand what has led up to the tragic death of this young man and those involved in the incident. The family of the young man are being supported by our specialist family liaison officers and are devastated at what has happened.
"From our work we know there was a disturbance outside TJ Hughes on London Road that continued into the nearby internet café. This incident happened on a warm Saturday night in a busy area of Liverpool City Centre.
"We know there were a number of people stood at bus stops on London Road, walking past TJ Hughes or driving along London Road who may have witnessed this incident or a vehicle driving erratically at that time. I am keen to appeal to those people to come forward so we can speak to them.
"Similarly anybody who may have mobile phone footage or dash cam footage, please come forward. Whether you come forward to us directly using the link below or anonymously, through Crimestoppers, please get in touch as soon as possible."
Anyone with information on this incident can contact @MerPolCC, 101 or @CrimestoppersUK, anonymously on 0800 555 111 with reference 22000261976. Anyone with any footage can upload this to be viewed by police here.
