Teenager charged over killing of aspiring musician and drill music producer Tashaun Aird, 15

A teenager has been charged with the alleged murder of 15-year-old aspiring musician Tashaun Aird in east London.

Romaine Williams-Reid, 18, of Erith Crescent, Romford, will appear at Thames Magistrates Court on Tuesday charged with Tashaun's murder and grievous bodily harm with intent in relation to a second victim.

Tashaun, who produced Afrobeat and drill music, was stabbed to death in Somerford Grove in Hackney on Wednesday evening after a "fracas" with a group of youths in a park, detectives have said.

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A post-mortem gave his provisional cause of death as a stab wound to the lung.

In a statement released through police on Friday, his family said they were "deeply shocked and saddened by our loss; we have lost a dear son, a brother, a nephew, a grandson and an uncle".

The statement went on: "Tashaun was family-orientated, he loved his family and we loved him dearly. He was passionate about his music and he loved drawing. He was a loving, caring boy with an infectious laugh.

"There are no words to avoid this empty void we now have, a huge part of us is now missing. He was a talented young boy and worked hard in his studies, particularly with his English."

Another teenager, 16, was riding a bicycle when he was chased and stabbed, before seeking refuge in a convenience store.

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He was found with stab injuries in nearby Shacklewell Road, but police said his injuries were not life-threatening.

There have been 44 homicides in the capital this year, including 30 fatal stabbings, with nine teenagers killed, police said.