A family have been left heartbroken following the death of "lovely" 16-year-old Jaydon Washington James after he was stabbed in Coventry.
The young victim was found injured in the Wood End area of the city at around 11.40pm on Saturday, but died a short time later in hospital, according to West Midlands Police.
He was with two teenage friends on Deedmore Road just before midnight when they were attacked.
The friends were also seriously injured and remain in hospital.
Jaydon's family said they were "deeply saddened" by his tragic death as they joined police in appealing for information to trace those responsible.
They added: "We urge anyone to come forward with any information regarding the person responsible for taking our boy JJ, known to his family as Juie.
"Thank you for all the support we have received."
Detective Chief Inspector Edward Foster said: "Jaydon had only just turned 16 with his whole life ahead of him.
"Words cannot describe the anguish that his family are going through, and we will leave no stone unturned in the hunt for his killer."
The area of the attack has been cordoned off as investigators examine the scene.
Forensic teams have also checked drains as well as around bins and vehicles in the vicinity.
Searches also took place in the grounds of the nearby St Patrick's Catholic Church, where bunches of flowers have been left against a wall.
One woman who visited the scene, Rebecca Rushton-Nesbitt, described the victim as a "lovely boy".
The 18-year-old said: "I heard about what happened. It's so sad, I can't believe he's gone to be honest.
"He was just an ordinary young boy. He wouldn't do anything to hurt anybody."
Detective Superintendent Matt Markham said: "A young boy has tragically been killed and we are determined to find out why this has happened.
"We are talking about the terrible loss of a 16-year-old boy, someone who had their life to live, and we will be working round the clock to find who was responsible.
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"We are following a number of active lines of enquiry and would urge that anyone with information which could assist our enquiries to call us as soon as possible."
:: Police have urged anyone with any information about Saturday's incident to call 101 or speak to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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