Police have charged a 15-year-old boy with murder in relation to the fatal stabbing of a 17-year-old in west London.

The victim, Ayub Hassan, from Shepherd’s Bush, was found with multiple stab wounds to the chest in west Kensington on Thursday afternoon. He was taken to hospital but died soon after.

A family friend had earlier described him as a “kind and handsome” boy who wanted to become a barrister.

Ayub Hassan. Photograph: PA

A spokeswoman for West London College, where Ayub was a student, said the school was “deeply saddened” by his death. “Understandably, this is a very difficult time for students and staff and we are continuing to offer them advice and support.”

Police said a postmortem examination was due to take place on Sunday.

The 15-year-old charged with his murder was to appear at Westminster magistrates court on Saturday morning.

The police said three other males were arrested as part of the investigation. A 17-year-old had been bailed pending further inquiries to a date in mid-April, while an 18-year-old and a 15-year-old had been released with no further action.

Ayub’s death follows a string of fatal stabbings in London and other major cities, which police chiefs have described as a “national emergency”.