Nassirudeen was shopping with two friends in Upper Street, Islington, north London, on Friday afternoon when they allegedly got into a row with a man at a bus stop.

The boy and his 17-year-old friend were both stabbed. The older youth survived but Nassirudeen died at the scene, outside the York pub, only days before his birthday.

The accused, also 17, who lives in Enfield, north London, will appear before a youth court charged with murder, GBH and possession of an offensive weapon.

Detective Inspector David Whellams, leading the investigation, said: "We do know that Nassirudeen was with two friends, one of whom was also stabbed, when they were in an altercation with a male suspect - resulting in Nassirudeen being fatally stabbed.

"At this time it is too early to speculate as to the circumstances that led to the altercation and we are keen to speak to anyone who was in the area and saw these young men come together at the bus stop outside the York public house in Upper Street.

"Upper Street is a very busy place at any time of the day, but at 2.30pm both the pavements and the roads are busy and I am sure there are many people who must have witnessed the altercation between these young men and I urge those people to come forward."

Nassirudeen's family called on the public to help "to get the people who are responsible for the murder of our son and brother off the street".

The youngest of five children, Nassirudeen was a talented artist who was studying A-level art at St Charles Catholic Sixth Form School in North Kensington, west London.

There were three other arrests connected to Nassirudeen's murder, and two 18-year-olds have been bailed to return later this month.