A crowdfunder to help pay for the funeral of a 17-year-old boy stabbed to death in Armley has raised more than £5,000 in less than 24 hours.
Trust Junior Jordan Gangata, known to family and friends as TJ, was stabbed and fatally wounded in the early hours of Sunday morning at a house party in Salisbury Grove, Armley.
An online crowdfunder set up by a family member to pay for the funeral has, at the time of writing, raised just over £5,000.
Donators have paid their tributes to Trust.
“Thoughts and prayers with your family and loved ones at such a heartbreaking time. Such a tragic loss and so young. My daughter attends the same college. Thinking of your family at this very sad time RIP,” one said.
Another added: “I wasn’t close to TJ but I had respect for him and I appreciate how he was always straight up with me. His death has had me thinking a lot today and I can only send love to those closest to him.”
Another simply wrote: “Such a tragic loss of a young life.”
The crowdfunder can be found here.
Notre Dame Sixth Form College, which Trust attended as a student, posted a tribute to Trust. The statement said: “It is with great sadness to report that one of our Lower Sixth students, Trust ‘TJ’ Gangata, tragically lost his life in the early hours of Sunday morning. The college community is devastated by this news and we have him, his family, and friends in our thoughts and prayers.
“Students, particularly his friends, will find this news very difficult to understand and accept. Our Achievement Tutors, Safeguarding Team, and College Counsellors are available to all who need support. The Chapel is also available for all who need a quiet space.
“Trust’s teachers described him as a “friendly, sociable, and kind student who always contributed positively in class”. Friends of Trust called him “hardworking, funny, and loyal” who was “a role model to his friends and always had a smile on his face”.
“Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.”
Four men have been arrested on suspicion of his murder, and detectives from West Yorkshire Police Homicide and Major Enquiry Team are continuing to carry out extensive enquiries.
The men – an 18-year-old man, from Huddersfield, and three men, one aged 18 and two aged 19, all from Bradford – remain in custody.
Anyone who witnessed any part of the incident or who has any information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team via 101 quoting Operation Pedalbourne reference 13230154405 or online at www.westyorkshire.police.uk/101livechat. Information can be given anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.