Family and friends are mourning 16-year-old Mikey Roynon, from Kingswood, who was knifed to death in Bath.
Police said dozens of teenagers witnessed the stabbing at a house in Eastfield Avenue, Weston, in the late evening of Saturday June 10. Despite efforts to save him, Mikey died at the scene from a single stab wound.
A 16-year-old boy from Wiltshire and a 15-year-old boy from Dorset appeared before magistrates at Bristol Youth Court on June 15 charged with murder and with possessing an offensive weapon.
More than 100 officers have been involved in the investigation, which is continuing.
Detective Inspector Mark Newbury, the senior investigating officer, said: “We’ve spoken to a large number of witnesses who were present at the address on Eastfield Avenue on Saturday and are confident we have a good understanding of what happened.
“We believe Mikey was killed following an argument, we believe this was a spontaneous incident and do not believe it was linked to any other incidents or as a result of any tensions between rival groups.”
He urged the public to avoid speculation or comment about the tragedy on social media as this could prejudice the investigation and cause more distress to Mikey’s devastated parents, who are being supported by family liaison officers.
Police have thanked the local community for their support of the investigation and urged anyone with relevant phone, dashcam or CCTV footage to get in touch.
The force has issued a joint statement with Bath & North East Somerset Council and South Gloucestershire Council offering information, advice and reassurance to parents, schools and residents.
Chief Inspector Ronald Lungu, of the Bath Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “I’d encourage parents and carers to talk to their children about the devastating consequences of carrying a knife.
“The causes of knife crime are complex and multi-faceted and we need everybody to work together to tackle the problem.”
Hundreds of people attended a vigil for Mikey in Southey Park, Kingswood, on June 11. A fundraising page to help his family had raised more than £18,000 as the Voice went to print.
Its organiser said: “His mum and dad are distraught; their son will forever be 16.
“Mikey was such a kind loving and thoughtful soul who cared so much about his friends and family. He was so funny and fearless.”