Three charged after good Samaritan killed in stabbing
Three teenagers are facing murder charges after a good Samaritan who tried to intervene and help a 14-year-old student was killed in a “savage” stabbing attack.
Emergency crews were called to Mernda train station in Melbourne’s northeast on Friday evening following reports of a fight between teenagers.
A group of passersby, including 22-year-old Mernda, stepped in to intervene after a group of teenagers attacked a 14-year-old boy.
Acting Homicide Detective Inspector Nigel L’Estrange said passers-by tried to diffuse the situation, but the man picked up the child and walked him away from the situation and out of the train station.
“Unfortunately, these four criminals followed both of them and then physically attacked the 22-year-old male with both punches, kicks and used sharp weapons in what can only be described as a brutal attack,” he told reporters on Saturday.
The injured person, who had a life-threatening condition, died at the scene despite first aid by medical teams.
Four young men were arrested: one 16-year-old, two 17-year-olds and one 18-year-old.
A 16-year-old from Whittlesea, a 17-year-old from Geelong and an 18-year-old from Mill Park have been charged with murder and armed robbery.
The oldest suspect will appear in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Sunday.
A 17-year-old teenager from Yarra City is in police custody in hospital and has not yet been interviewed.
“This is a tragic situation where our victim here was a good Samaritan who was trying to do the right thing,” Det Insp L’Estrange said.
“He intervened, he tried to protect this 14-year-old student, he was not aggressive at all, he tried to get him away from the scene and as a result of the interaction he has now died.”
Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Mary-Anne Thomas described the horrific incident as truly worrying, saying her thoughts were with the victim’s family.
He cited the government’s toughened youth crime laws, which came into force just over a week ago and could result in young offenders receiving tougher sentences for serious offences.
“Young people who commit violent crimes are about to discover they will be serving adult sentences,” Ms Thomas told reporters on Saturday. he said.
Opposition police spokesman Brad Battin said the incident highlighted Labour’s failure to tackle youth crime and take machetes off the streets.
“With nearly 2000 police vacancies, more than 40 stations closed or operating on reduced hours and PSOs removed from 120 train stations, Victorians continue to pay the price for Labour’s social safety failures,” he said in a statement.
