Police were called on Sunday after a man was found with stab wounds on Little Malop Street at around 5.30am.

He was rushed to hospital, where he later died.

The Herald Sun has since revealed that Sykes is the man who was injured during an altercation in the early hours of Sunday.

The exact circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation, but it is understood two other men involved in the altercation attended hospital and were being treated for non-life threatening injuries.

A photo from the crime scene showed blood spattered on a garden wall outside a state government building on Little Malop Street, while another photo showed blood spattered on a shop window about 250 meters away on Downes Lane.

An outpouring of support from loved ones followed news of Sykes’ death.

“I’ll love you for ever mate if I love you bro,” Mitch Sykes wrote on Instagram.

A friend wrote on social media: “You lit up every room bro. RIP Chugs, gone too soon”.

Local restaurant manager Alex Smith told Nine News he was “not surprised” to hear about the stabbing in the area.

“There was a bottle last weekend just around the corner. It happens all the time,” he said.

“The police are not doing anything about it. Something has to happen and it has to happen now.”

Many businesses near the scene of Sykes’ stabbing were forced to either close or trade for just a few hours on Sunday, according to Nine News.

Police have not yet laid charges in the stabbing, and homicide detectives are investigating.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information that could help police has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.