Police have charged a teenager in connection with the death of a 15-year-old Eritrean refugee in Glasgow on Wednesday.
Amen Teklay, who had dreams of becoming a doctor, died from fatal injuries on Clarendon Street in the west of Glasgow at around 10.30pm on Wednesday evening.
Emergency services attended but the schoolboy, from Knightswood, could not be saved.
Now, following a post-mortem into Amen’s death, police have charged a 14-year-old boy with the killing of the ‘much loved’ teenager.
He is set to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Monday, with Police Scotland treating Amen’s death as murder.
On Thursday, detectives said they were working with ‘education partners’, before announcing on Friday that the death was being treated as a murder investigation.
On Saturday, Police Scotland said two boys, aged 14 and 15 years old, had been arrested in connection with the death.
The police force, however, did not provide an update on the 15-year-old who was arrested, saying today that enquiries remain ongoing.
Amen Teklay, 15, was found dead in a Glasgow street with serious injuries
Amen Teklay, aged 15 is understood to have lived in Glasgow with his father
Amen was described as ‘funny and bright’ by those who knew him
Detective Chief Inspector Campbell Jackson said: ‘Our thoughts remain with Amen’s family and friends at this very difficult time. I would also like to thank the community for their support so far.
‘Our investigation continues and I would ask anyone who may have information which could help us and who has not yet come forward, to please contact us.’
Superintendent Christopher Stewart added: ‘We are continuing to support Amen’s family and continue to engage with the local community affected by this incident.
‘There will continue to be a visible policing presence in the area and I would urge anyone with questions or concerns to approach a local officer – they are there to help.’
Amen’s friends are planning to hold a vigil for the ‘friendly and bright’ young man this afternoon at a football park near where the 15-year-old played near his home in Scotstoun.
Jamie O’Neill, the boy’s support worker at Kingsway Community Connections, said: ‘The last few days have been a mixture of grief and numbness, and people sharing stories of happiness when they speak about Amen.
‘His young friends at school were wondering what they could do and came up with the idea that they should hold a vigil.
‘It’s their way to pay tribute to their friend, come together and support each other.’
It is understood that Amen, who is originally from Eritrea, lived with his father in Glasgow and had recently been granted ‘right to remain’ status in the UK.
His sister Delina Teklay, 17, said the family were Eritrean refugees and Amen had hoped to gain UK citizenship and become either a basketball player, a doctor, or an engineer
She said: ‘This was very unexpected and shocking for us. I just think this is a dream and I’m going to wake up tomorrow. I’m still in denial.
‘My dad is devastated; he’s not eating at all or drinking anything. We’re all devastated, it’s shocking.’
She told BBC Scotland News that Amen was ‘not just my brother, he was my best friend’ and a ‘really sweet person, so kind and so bright.
Amen attended St Thomas Aquinas secondary school in Jordanhill. Claire McInally, said the boy’s death was a ‘shock to the school community’.
Ms McInally added: ‘Amen was a friendly and much-loved young man who was really interested in music and the media. He was bright and showed great promise.’
In a post on Facebook, Glasgow-based charity Kingsway Community Connections said it was ‘deeply saddened to learn of the tragic death’.
It added: ‘Amen, 15, was involved in our Youth Group and Film Group over the past year and was still receiving support from our staff until yesterday afternoon.
The scene on Clarendon Street, Glasgow, after a 15-year-old boy died after being found seriously injured in the street
Police were called to the area at around 10.30pm on Wednesday to reports of a person found injured
‘He was funny, bright, and enjoyed playing football, he loved pizza nights and taking part in a summer BBQ. Our memories of Amen are encapsulated in this film he made together with his friends where he talked about why attending the group was important to him.
‘Amen developed great relationships with our team, and we are all devastated with his sudden death.’
JATV Goals Youth Group, which offers film training for young people at boxing events, also paid tribute to the teenager who was part of the group.
It said in a statement: ‘Our community is heartbroken as we come to terms with the loss of a young boy who had his full life ahead of him.’
Those who knew the boy described him as a ‘nice guy’ as tributes flooded in for the teenager.
One person, who grew up with him, said he was ‘always there for everyone.’
Another said: ‘He helped my gran, [he was] such a nice guy.’
One person added: ‘Rest in peace young man, what a tragedy. I can’t imagine what the family are going through. It’s heartbreaking.’
Police Scotland launched a major investigation into Amen’s death.
At the scene, a blue forensics tent was erected between two residential streets lined with tenement flats.
Detective Superintendent Cheryl Kelly said: ‘Our thoughts are with the Amen’s family and friends at this distressing time.
‘We will continue to provide specialist support for them as our investigation continues.’
Anyone with information can contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 3652 of March 5, or via a major investigations public portal, external, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
