Lisa Petrie, 45, has called for a Fatal Accident Inquiry on the first anniversary of her son John's murder. John McNab, 22, was chased down and killed by a 17-year-old in an unprovoked attack in Leith on September 2, 2025. The warehouse worker begged for his life but was stabbed four times with a hunting knife.
The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was on bail for a separate knife attack on Portobello Beach months before. Lisa believes her son's death could have been prevented had earlier safeguards been put in place.
Mother's demand for answers
“John was murdered by a boy who was out on bail for a previous knife attack just months earlier,” the 45-year-old told the Record. “Had he not been granted bail, I believe John would still be here today. My son's life was cut short by somebody who should have had the correct safeguards in place to prevent him from using a knife again. Instead we have to live the rest of our lives without John, who was a beloved son, nephew and a good friend. Lessons must be learned. I believe an FAI would uncover the answers we are searching for surrounding the circumstances of John's death. I hope the findings would pave the way to prevent other families suffering the pain and hell we do everyday.”
John is one of four young males who lost their lives due to knife violence on Scotland's streets in the last two years. Kory McCrimmon, 16, was stabbed in the heart after a confrontation in Greenfield Park in Glasgow's east end on May 31, 2024. A 14-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was detained for five years after admitting culpable homicide.
Other victims of knife violence
Amen Teklay, 15, died from a stab wound after he was found injured in Glasgow's Maryhill in March 2025. Two teenage boys, aged 16 and 17, were cleared of his murder following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow. Weeks later, 16-year-old Kayden Moy was stabbed to death at Irvine Beach in Ayrshire in May. His killers Cole Turley, 18, Jay Stewart 19, and a 15-year-old boy were jailed for life.
It later emerged that two of the teenagers were under the supervision of social services at the time of the murder and Stewart had previous criminal convictions for possessing a knife and a machete.
Call for national emergency response
Knife campaigner Lisa said youth-related violence had reached “national emergency” level and fears more children will die without significant government intervention. She said: “Youth violence and knife crime has gone well past being an epidemic in Scotland, it is now a national emergency and should be addressed that way by the government. Kayden's death was a tragedy and it's terrifying to think that one of his killers had also already offended with a knife before his murder. The circumstances are very similar to John's murder. Unless action is taken early on youths caught carrying knives, more children will bleed out on the streets and families will be torn apart.”
The Record launched youth violence campaign, Our Kids ... Our Future in response to a spate of assaults on teens and children across the country. As part of the campaign, it has demanded the Scottish Government to invest in young people by giving them safe spaces so they can be nurtured, mentored and guided in every community. Backing the campaign, Lisa added: “I applaud the Daily Record for everything it has done with the Our Kids ... Our Future campaign. Young people need safe spaces to get them off the streets and we need urgent intervention to prevent violence.”
Vigil at Knife Angel sculpture
Today Lisa will mark John's death by holding a vigil at the scene of his murder. She will stand beside the 27ft tall “Knife Angel” sculpture, made from 100,000 seized blades, which has been erected at the bottom of Leith Walk. She hopes its message will encourage more youngsters to move away from knife crime. She added: “When people see the angel knife, I hope they remember the names of all of the boys who have recently died in Scotland and how badly young people are being failed by our government. This angel is here to represent us. If John was still here, he would've been enjoying the Fringe Festival, working hard and enjoying holidays with his pals. He had his whole life ahead of him, but all of his prospects and dreams were taken away from him.”
Scottish Labour justice spokesperson Pauline McNeill said: “My thoughts are with Lisa McNab and her family at what will be a difficult time on the anniversary of John's death. Far too often, we are tragically hearing about young people being fatally stabbed, with youth violence reaching crisis point. This cycle of violence must end. Scottish Labour has called for regulations around the sale of kitchen knives in supermarkets and major retailers to prevent knives from being shoplifted. We have said this should include a provision that all knives are kept in locked cabinets, or behind customer service counters, before they can be purchased. The SNP government must look at all options for tackling youth violence, including supporting community policing across Scotland, and by listening to families such as Lisa who are living with the consequences of this scourge.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Ministers' sympathies remain with Ms Petrie for the heartbreaking loss of her son, John. Overall youth violence has been decreasing, but we know that is of no comfort to victims or their families. The Scottish Government has been clear there is no reason to ever carry a weapon, including a knife, at any time. We continue to work with partners to tackle and prevent youth violence and in particular knife crime, alongside education, diversion and mentoring programmes. This is supported by our investment of more than £8 million since 2023 in targeted prevention and early intervention activity in schools, hospitals and across communities to tackle violence and its harms. Fatal Accident Inquiries are a matter for the Lord Advocate, who acts independently of Government, in line with the Fatal Accidents and Sudden Deaths (Scotland) Act 2016.”
