The good samaritan who was allegedly stabbed to death after stepping into protect a young schoolboy in Melbourne has been identified as 22-year-old Aidan Becker.

The security guard was allegedly attacked after stepping in to protect a 14-year-old student from a group of four males near Mernda train station, just before 6pm on Friday.

Police say Mr Becker, who was from the Mernda area, led the schoolboy away from the group and out of the station on Bridge Inn Road.

It’s alleged the group then followed the pair onto the concourse beneath the platform and attacked Mr Becker, fatally punching, kicking, and attacking him with an edged weapon.

He was found by paramedics with critical injuries and could not be saved.

The group were arrested, with police later charging three – an 18-year old man named Mike Pikos, and 16-year-old boy from Whittlesea and a 17-year-old boy from Geelong – with murder and armed robbery.

A 17-year-old from the City of Yarra is under police guard in hospital and is yet to be charged.

Pikos fronted Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Sunday and was remanded in custody to re-appear on June 24. He was not required to speak during the short hearing.

Aidan Becker (left), pictured with his father, died from injuries he suffered while protecting a young schoolboy from a group of males

Three people have now been charged with his murder after he was allegedly stabbed on Friday

Magistrate Steven Raleigh was told it was his first time in custody and he would be a vulnerable prisoner due to his age and appearance.

No other information was given during the brief session and there was no application for bail.

In court documents, police allege the man was armed with a machete when he robbed the 14-year-old of a phone and power bank valued at $500. 

It’s understood the alleged offenders were known to police. None of the group were on bail at the time of the attack. 

The two teens charged will appear at a Children’s Court at a later date. 

The young student who was allegedly attacked first suffered a broken nose and has been discharged from hospital.

Detective Acting Inspector Nigel L’Estrange described the alleged attack as ‘cowardly’ and praised the alleged victim for his good deed.

‘The community shouldn’t have to put up with [these] sort of attacks. [The alleged victim has] just tried to do the right thing. He hasn’t been aggressive at all,’ he said.

Police allege Mr Becker was set on by the group who attacked him with an edged weapon

‘He put his own life on the line to try and help out this 14-year-old boy; he has to be commended.’ 

It comes as heartbroken members of the Mernda community paid tribute to Mr Becker on Sunday while laying bouquets of flowers at the station.

One woman told the ABC that Mr Becker wouldn’t have hesitated to step in to protect the young boy. 

‘He couldn’t hurt a soul, all he wanted to do was help people,’ she said.

‘He would do anything to help anyone, he’d give the shirt off his back to a random person.’

Another said: ‘Their son is a hero and he will be remembered for what he did.’