Police have charged a man with murder after a “gentle giant” teenager with a “heart of gold” was fatally stabbed in Lancashire.
Aspiring car mechanic Dylan Bragger, 15, was killed in Skelmersdale, about six miles west of Wigan, on Thursday night.
Felipe Figueiredo, 28, of Birleywood, Skelmersdale, has been charged with murder, Lancashire Constabulary said.
He appeared at Preston Magistrates’ Court on Saturday and is next due to appear at Preston Crown Court on Tuesday.
Officers were called at around 9pm on Thursday to Digmoor Road following a report a teenage boy had been stabbed.
Emergency services tried to save Dylan but he died at the scene.
His family paid tribute to their son, grandson and brother in a joint statement issued via the force on Friday.
We’ve got a hole in our heart that will never heal and no amount of words will ever take our pain away— Family
They said: “Our boy had a heart of gold, he was a gentle giant and was loved by so many.
“As a family we have no words to explain how we are feeling at this heart-breaking time.
“Dylan had such an infectious smile that would light up any room and he could cheer anyone up with one of his big bear hugs.
“Our boy didn’t deserve any of this, he was just a 15-year-old lad working towards being a car mechanic, with his whole life ahead of him.
“We’ve got a hole in our heart that will never heal and no amount of words will ever take our pain away.
“We love you always and forever.”
Anyone with information about the incident should call police on 101, quoting log 1526 of June 29.