Tributes have been paid to Dale Gordon, who was widely recognised as an up-and-coming talent in the North West music scene under his stage name Dale Deezy.
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Police were called to Netherbury Close in Gorton, Manchester, at 10.15pm on Saturday following 999 calls from residents.
There they found Dale collapsed with serious injuries, following a 'brutal' attack which saw the aspiring rapper 'kicked and punched' over a sustained period of time.
He was taken to Manchester Royal infirmary, where he sadly died in the early hours of this morning.
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Detective Chief Inspector Howard Millington said: “This was a brutal and sustained attack, which appears to have been unprovoked.
"The victim was punched and kicked to the ground. This wasn’t a quick, spur of the moment altercation. They were there long enough for people to see what was going on. He has sadly succumbed to his injuries.”
He added: “We are in the early stages of our enquiries and working to build up a picture of the events leading up to this young man’s death.
“Early enquiries suggest there had been some kind of fight between the victim and the men who were seen to flee from the scene in a silver car.
Waterloo Road actor Stefan Gumbs was one of many who paid tribute to Dale, writing: “Omg, just heard Dale Deezy died last night from a fight.
"I still can’t believe how quick life can be taken away without warning, and there’s us on a day to day basis moaning about dumbness.
“Falling out with people over daftness, complaining about life every day, and just being plain ungrateful about everything.”
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Fellow rapper Kapital KO added: "The streets have just taken another young male of mine. Why the people insist on this way of life it only leads to death. RIP Dale Deezy.”
Police are campaigning for witnesses to come forward after Dale's murder.
Anyone with information can call police on 0161 856 3894 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.