.Alan Cartwright was cycling along the road when he was attacked
- .A man jumped out in front of him and stabbed him once in the chest
- .The 15-year-old managed to cycle on for a few metres before he collapsed
- .Police have launched a murder investigation following Friday's stabbing
- .Detective Chief Inspector Chris Jones said 'Alan stood no chance'
- .Alan's mother Michelle Watson made an emotional plea for information
The mother of a 15-year-old boy stabbed during a botched bicycle theft has made an emotional appeal for information about her son's killer.
Michelle Watson's son Alan Cartwright was stabbed as he rode along the Caledonian Road in Islington, north London with friends on Friday night.
Ms Watson told a highly emotional press conference that 'a brother and a son is dead'. 
This is the moment when Alan Cartwright was stabbed on his bicycle as he cycled through north London
Alan Cartwright, pictured, suffered single stab wound to the chest when he was attacked on Friday night while he cycled along a busy London street when he and his friends were attacked by a gang
Alan's mother Michelle Watson, left and his sister Cherrie Smith, right, appealed for witnesses to speak out
Alan’s mother and sister described the Army cadet and Celtic and Arsenal fan as a 'joker' who loved bikes and never caused any trouble.
Fighting back tears, Alan’s mother Michelle Watson, 39, said: 'He always made you laugh about anything and everything. He was just the funny one out of his friends.
'I feel angry, I want somebody found for this. I just feel numb.
'Looking at the CCTV footage it looks like he got punched, like somebody had just hit him.
'It was so quick, he just carried on riding and two minutes up the road he is collapsed and dead. It’s like it’s not real.
'I would say to witnesses, if you’ve got any sort of conscience come forward because a brother and son is dead.”
The teenager’s sister, Cherrie Smith, 21, broke down when she spoke of him not being there when she gets married.
Ms Smith said that her brother’s death has not fully sunken in yet because the family have not seen his body.
Ms Watson, pictured, said witnesses with 'any sort of a conscience' should come forward with information
Ms Watson, left, comforted her daughter Cherrie, right, during the highly emotional press conference
Cherie Smith, left, and Michelle Watson, right, spoke of their horror after hearing about Alan's murder
She said: 'We want any witnesses to give as much information as they possibly can. If you have a little brother or sister, ask yourself "what if it was them?"
'If that was me, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself.
'People are saying "wrong place, wrong time", but those people shouldn’t be carrying knives on them. The whole of his life Alan has grown up in the Cally (Caledonian Road) and you just don’t expect it.
I would say to witnesses, if you’ve got any sort of conscience come forward because a brother and son is dead
Victim's mother Michelle Watson
'He has always put a front on in front of me and his friends that he was like a hard man, but he wouldn’t hurt a fly, he really wouldn’t.
'I just clearly hope someone gets found for this - knowing he has been taken away from us in such an unlawful way, it’s just heartbreaking because there’s a chance someone could get away with this.
'We clearly think it was a bike robbery, but the question is "why"? Why has that person done that?'
Earlier today, police released shocking CCTV footage showing the moment the Holloway School student was stabbed.
A second suspect is shown lunging at one of the teenager's friends and knocking him off his bike.
A third is seen crossing the road and grabbing another friend to pull him off his bike.
A post-mortem examination yesterday concluded that the cause of the Holloway School student's death was a single stab wound to the chest.
Mr Cartwright's sister Cherrie Smith, right, said she cannot believe that he will not be at her wedding
Detective Chief Inspector Chris Jones, who is leading the investigation for the Homicide and Major Crime Command, appealed for help in identifying the three suspects.
'The footage of the suspects attacking Alan and his friends is truly shocking. Alan stood no chance of defending himself against his attacker, who casually stepped out in front of him and stabbed him in the chest.
'Identifying and arresting the suspects is our absolute priority. We are working tirelessly and the investigation is moving at a fast pace.
'It is obvious from the footage that Caledonian Road is busy with cars and pedestrians. We have already spoken to a number of witnesses who have provided helpful information to the investigation; however, I would like to re-appeal to anyone who may know something about Alan's murder and the robbery of the bikes.
Alan, circled left, is seen on CCTV approaching his attacker, circled right, who is hiding behind a car
Several members of the gang attack Alan's friends, who is unaware of the man approaching from his left
The attacker leaps out from behind the car with his arm extended brandishing the knife as Alan passed
The attacker stabs Alan once in the chest in an effort to steal his bicycle, leaving him with grave injuries
'Where are the two bicycles that were taken? Someone may have noticed a new bike brought home or perhaps you have been offered a similar bike for sale? If so, I would urge you to contact the police.
'I would like to reassure anyone who is worried about contacting the police that they will be treated with the utmost sensitivity.'
Alan's mother, Michelle Watson, 39, from Islington, north London, led an emotional tribute to her son on Facebook. She wrote: 'Our baby boy xxxxxxx xxxxxxx x xxxxxxx RIP we love you always.'
All three suspects are described by police as male youths who were wearing dark tops and had their faces partly covered.
The bicycles stolen during the stabbing were a red mountain bike and a black and red pedal cycle.
Mr Cartwright was stabbed as he cycled along the Caledonian Road on Friday at around 19.34.
He collapsed and later died at the scene, as three of the thugs escaped on two stolen bikes.
DCI Jones continued: 'I think the CCTV speaks for itself.
'I think this is a dreadful, shocking, unprovoked incident. It is a shocking crime, a mindless act of violence.
'One of the motives we are exploring is of robbery of the push bikes. I'm open minded to the motives however.'
Alan manages to continue along the Caledonian Road mortally wounded as the gang attacks his friends
Police are appealing for witnesses following Friday's terrifying attack in north London
Mr Cartwright was declared dead at the scene on the Caledonian Road in North London on Friday
He added: 'Alan is well known in that area.
'He was just out cycling in the area with his friends. Alan is just a young boy, 15 years of age. I don't class him as a gang member.
'He was just out cycling in and around the Caledonian Road area.'
He went on to say: 'A really important line of inquiry for us is where the bikes have gone.
'Has someone been offered them for sale, has someone purchased them?
'We have made an appeal for witnesses. I would really ask people if they saw anything on that night please come forward.
'I'm convinced that if you know these suspects you will recognise them, even from their clothes or build.'
Asked if the police have any possible suspects he said: 'I wouldn't discuss that at this time.'
One of the stolen bikes as a 'Specialized Hard Rock' mountain bike with disc brakes and electrical tape on the frame.
The second bike was described as a black and red 'specialized Vita' pedal cycle. The word 'Specialized' was printed in white.
Mr Cartwright's family released a video of the 15-year-old victim, who was described as a passionate cyclist
Friends of the teenager left floral tributes at the scene of his murder near his home in Islington, north London
According to police, the first suspect is a male youth of slim build. He was wearing a grey or dark coloured hooded top and dark bottoms. He may have had a key chain hanging from the rear pocket. He is believed to be white.
The second suspect is also a male youth of slim to medium build wearing what is thought to be a black, sleeveless top. He was wearing a shoulder bag against his body. Eyewintesses said he had some form of face covering and is thought to be black.
The third suspect is a male youth of medium build and was wearing a three-quarter length coat. He was wearing a dark top with a multi-coloured motif with lighter coloured bottoms and dark shoes. Officers do not know this suspect's ethnicity.
Anyone with information on any of the suspects is asked to call the incident room on 020 8345 3734, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.
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