TRIBUTES are flooding in to 15-year-old Negus McClean after he was stabbed to death in Edmonton last night.

More than 2,500 people have signed up to a Facebook page set up in the wake of his fatal stabbing.

The aspiring rapper and Edmonton County School pupil was knifed in the chest and thigh after stepping in to stop his younger brother's Blackberry phone being stolen.

Selin Hassan wrote on the page: "I have known you all my life from primary to secondary, its sad to see you go like this.

You are a hero/soldier and will never be forgotten. We have lost you but God has gained a new angel.

Eyewitnesses saw Negus being chased along Bounces Road and into Westminster Road by a gang of around ten teenagers on bikes.

He was found by police and paramedics in a pool of blood, and died after being rushed to the Royal London Hospital.

A friend, Shannon Kelly, wrote on the tribute page: “R.I.P Negus, I will never forget you, everybody's thinking of you.

“You was such a nice boy you didn't deserve to die at such a young age.”

Other posts online suggest the violence may have been part of a tit-for-tat dispute between rival factions in the area.

Four men, aged 20, 18,16, and 14, have been arrested in connection with the killing and are currently being questioned by detectives.

Police have appealed for any witnesses, or anyone with information, to call 0208 345 3775, or to remain anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.