A MAN is being questioned by police over the alleged coward punch death of teenager Patrick Cronin.

The 33-year-old man, from Diamond Creek, is in custody assisting Homicide Squad detectives after walking into Melbourne West Police Station.

“Homicide Squad detectives have identified the man they were hoping to speak to after a 19-year-old was assaulted in in Diamond Creek over the weekend,’’ A Victoria Police statement said.

“The investigation by Homicide Squad remains ongoing and anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.”

Mr Cronin died in hospital yesterday after being attacked outside the Diamond Creek bar on Saturday night.

He had been celebrating his first senior football game for Lower Plenty Bears when he was caught in the middle of a fight involving up to 30 people at The Windy Mile bar.

The teenager’s family vowed their “hero and star” would live on after making the heartbreaking decision to turn off his life support — with his organs being donated, potentially transforming the lives of almost a dozen strangers.

The arrest comes after police today released images of a tattooed man they wished to speak to over the incident.

media_camera An image police released of a man they would like to speak to.

media_camera Pictures: Victoria Police

Detectives said the man was of solid build, with dark hair, wearing a light coloured T-shirt with blue sleeves and a pocket on the front, dark pants and dark shoes.

He also had a tattoo on his right bicep and upper arm.

It is not known whether the man is a witness to the attack or has some other connection to the incident.

Boxing champ Danny Green is among those who have expressed their sadness over the death.

Green, the face of the ‘A Coward’s Punch Can Kill’ campaign, said his “heart goes out” to the family and friends of the teenager, was allegedly struck from behind while coming to the aid of a friend caught in the crossfire of a brawl.

“The poor beautiful young bloke who had never been in a fight his whole life was trying to break one up and then hit from the side with a cowards punch (sic),” Green posted on Facebook.

media_camera Family described Patrick Cronin as their “hero and star”.

“My heart goes out to his family and friends, and most of all to this young lad Pat who had it all in front of him and died trying to stop something bad happening (sic).”

Green said the aim of his ‘A Coward’s Punch Can Kill’ campaign was deter people from delivering these fatal blows and not ‘glorify’ the action.

“Part of what I’ve been trying to do for years is to attach a very negative stigma to this horrible offence in a bid to deter people from being branded a coward,” Green posted.

Mr Cronin’s family said yesterday it was with the “heaviest of heaviest of hearts” that they said goodbye to their beautiful boy.

Mother Robyn, father Matt and siblings Emma and Lucas earlier posted photos of their beloved “Patty” online.

“We have been overwhelmed with the love our son, and brother, has been shown and it proves to us that he has touched so many people with his wonderful nature,’’ they said in a statement.

“As with his whole life he has put others ahead of himself and leaves us an absolute hero and star.

“We take some comfort in the knowledge that Pat was able to donate his organs and help others in need.

“Our hearts are broken but he will forever be in our hearts and he will be the one to get us through this.”

To find out about organ donation, go to donatelife.gov.au/decide.

Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333000.

wes.hosking@news.com.au

@WesHosking