A teenager has been charged with the murder of a promising young footballer who was stabbed to death at a party promoted on social media.
Gurveer Bhandal, 18, was last night charged with stabbing Ashley Day, 20, to death, as well as the possession of a bladed article, according to West Midlands Police. He was due to appear before magistrates today.
Ashley was said to have ‘excelled’ at Newport County’s academy and was described by his family as ‘very well-mannered and loving boy’.
He was stabbed to death in a flat on Bradford Street in the Digbeth area of Birmingham just after 6am on Thursday morning.
Two others who were arrested have since been released.
Ashley Day (pictured), 20, was stabbed to death in a flat in the Digbeth area of Birmingham just after 6am on Thursday morning
Ashley had just been accepted to study at Brunel University, according to his heartbroken relatives.
In a statement, his family said: ‘Ashley was a very well-mannered and loving boy. He was very passionate about football and excelled at Newport football academy.
‘He had a great love for music. He’d just been accepted to study sports science at Brunel University and was very excited to start later this year.
‘He was a great big brother and protector to his mum, younger brother, and his family.
‘Anyone who knew him will tell you how he exuded joy and happiness and always wanted the best for everybody.
‘His smile was infectious and his sense of humour was out of this world. Our hearts are bleeding for our model son.’
Police investigating the murder say the apartment was being used as a venue for a party which had been advertised through social media platforms.
Detectives have appealed for people who were there to come forward.
Gurveer Bhandal, 18, was last night charged with murder and the possession of a bladed article, according to West Midlands Police. Pictured: The scene on Bradford Street, Digbeth
Detective Inspector Jim Mahon, said: ‘We are supporting Ashley’s family at this awful time.
‘While we have now charged a man with this murder, we believe there may still be people who may have information, photographs or videos of the party and incident.
‘We ask that anyone present come forward to provide us with information about the event.’
He said two other people arrested as part of the investigation have been released and will face no further action.