Michael Jok, 17, was a Sudanese refugee whose family came to Canada to find a better life after his father was killed. (Family Photo)

A man has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with a stabbing attack that left a Winnipeg teenager dead and another man wounded.

Abiola Akintunde Matthews, 34, is also charged with attempted murder and is in custody at the Winnipeg Remand Centre. He will make a first appearance in court on Monday.

Michael Jok, 17, was stabbed to death early on Sept. 6 on Young Street near Portage Avenue after he and a friend got into a verbal dispute with people in a car. The dispute escalated into a street brawl when the people in the car got out, police said.

Both Jok and his friend, 21, were stabbed and the attackers fled the area, police said.

Jok was rushed to hospital where he died. The friend, whose name has not been released, was treated for injuries and released.

Police said Jok's death does not appear to have been drug- or gang-related. It was Winnipeg's 20th homicide of 2009.

Family friends told CBC News that Jok and his family came to Canada from Sudan five years ago to escape violence after his father was killed. They said the family has been "traumatized" by the violent nature of Jok's death.

A well-attended memorial service for Jok was held Saturday, the same day Matthews was arrested.

The arrest brings some comfort to Jok's family and friends, said Gaylene Dempsey, who knew Jok.

"I know [police] worked really hard, and were really intent on getting this person. So the fact that he's caught and in custody is probably a pretty good thing," Dempsey said.