A nightclub descended into "chaos" after a partygoer was stabbed to death on the dance floor yesterday, witnesses have said.
People enjoying a night out at Crane in Digbeth, Birmingham, were left "running around screaming" after 23-year-old Cody Fisher was knifed.
Detectives have launched a murder investigation following the incident, which saw West Midlands Police officers called to the scene at around 11.45pm on Monday.
Cody was pronounced dead around 30 minutes later.
The venue was hosting a 'Boxing Day Special' featuring DJs Marco Carola, Steve Lawler and Mason Maynard, who were playing acid house and deep house music.
Footage shared on Instagram shows the packed club prior to the stabbing.
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On Tuesday evening West Midlands Police named the young man who died as Cody Fisher.
A statement from a family member of Cody's shared through the police said the families' hearts were "broken" and that they had lost their "best friend".
"My family and I are asking for privacy and respectfulness at this heart-breaking time," they added.
The Twitter account of football club Walsall FC Academy, which caters for youth football players, also shared their "devastation" over the death of one of their "former scholars".
"We are devastated to hear this awful news," the account tweeted on Tuesday afternoon.
"Our thoughts are with his family & friends at this difficult time."
Cody was a former Walsall FC academy star but had switched clubs to play defence for Bromsgrove Sporting FC.
Ex-Walsall star Darren Byfield paid tribute to his former player at Stratford Town, saying: "saw the tweets earlier about the boy getting stabbed in Digbeth and only just found out it was a player I signed while at Stratford Town.
"Cody Fisher RIEP, Your family will be in my prayers."
Cody played for Stratford Town FC, Stourbridge Town and Bromsgrove Sporting and had been signed to Pro Vision sports management.
Player liaison officer Victoria Kate Gray said: "I can't believe it. RIP Cody, my thoughts are with your family."
Cody's gym partner, Ollie Taylor, posted an emotional tribute to his friend.
He said: "Cody man, no words. My gym partner, what a genuine and kind hearted boy. Love you bro, pray for justice."
No arrests had been made at this stage.
A woman told Birmingham Live: "Friends said there was a massive incident at the club.
"Someone was stabbed and they had to shut the club down with 3,000 people there. Apparently it was chaos.
"My friends said everyone was running around crying and screaming. They said the DJ stopped DJ-ing and a warning came up on the big screens. It’s awful."
A witness, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Mirror that he had seen the man after the attack in a pool of his own blood as people desperately tried to save his life.
"Something no one should ever have to see," he said.
"Basic safety protocols are never carried out in these clubs.
"Worthless individuals who carry weapons can get in just as easy as someone like me, who wouldn’t even ever consider taking a weapon anywhere."
Police have urged witnesses or anyone with footage to come forward.
Detectives said the victim was "approached by a group of people" before being stabbed.
Det Insp Michelle Thurgood, leading the investigation, said: “This was a young man enjoying himself with friends on a Boxing Day night out and our thoughts are with his friends and family today.
“We know there were hundreds of people in the nightclub at the time. While we’ve spoken to a number of them already, we still need to hear from anyone who was there and who witnessed or even filmed what happened.
"Anyone with information has been asked to get in touch via Live Chat, quoting log 3792 of 26 December.
"Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."
