A teenager and two men have been charged with the stabbing murder of a 17-year-old boy after allegedly crashing a party south of Perth.
Chikayne-Nadante Heslip died in Rockingham Hospital after being stabbed outside the house party in Waikiki on Saturday night.
Police allege Mr Heslip had come to the aid of his friends before being chased from the party and attacked by the group of gatecrashers at two different locations.
A 17-year-old boy and two men, aged 18 and 27, have been charged with murder. They have each been refused bail and will face court on Thursday.
Another 18-year-old man was also arrested and is assisting police with their enquiries.
"The people responsible for this were cowards. There was a number of them and one boy," WA Police Assistant Commissioner Brad Royce told reporters.
"Most families wouldn't expect to send their 17-year-old to a party and to have police turn up with that sort of news."
In a statement, Mr Heslip's family said their "beautiful, caring young man" had always put others first.
"Our understanding is that Chikayne died protecting his mates and in our eyes, he will always be a selfless hero," the family said.
"You will always be remembered as our hero."
Mr Royce said it was becoming common for house parties advertised on social media to become out of control and attract violence.
"Once you're on social media the party expands, the numbers expand," he said.
"The people managing the party aren't always prepared for those numbers and have to shut things down. And a lot of the trouble occurs outside the party."
