‘Real hero’: mourners honour slain security guard
A devoted protector to the safety of others is how family and friends describe an off-duty security guard who was allegedly killed while trying to save a schoolboy from a robbery.
Hundreds of people gathered for a candlelight vigil on Friday night at Mernda Skate Park, the suburb north of Melbourne where Aidan Becker was killed a week ago.
There were tears and heartfelt tributes from mourners to the security guard and his family.
“We stand here with our family torn apart. I don’t know how we will heal,” her weeping mother told the large crowd.
“My beautiful son would do it all over again in the blink of an eye. Because that’s the kind of kid he was.”
Police allege Mr Becker was followed by a group of teenagers and attacked after coming to the aid of a 14-year-old boy at the train station at around 6pm on March 6.
Despite the intervention of medical teams, the 22-year-old young man died at the scene.
Four male youths were arrested at the scene and charged with murder and armed robbery.
The student’s family paid tribute to Mr Becker in a statement released by Victoria Police on Tuesday, saying they were “deeply saddened by this heartbreaking loss”.
“He showed extraordinary courage and compassion by risking his life to save our son,” they said.
Dozens of bouquets and scores of handwritten notes were left near the scene of the alleged crime, while residents hailed Mr Becker as a hero.
Friday night’s vigil brought the community together after the alleged murder sent shockwaves.
“We came together to reflect on the life of an extraordinary young man,” said community member Farrell Paton.
“When someone vulnerable needed help, Aidan stepped up. That instinct to protect, to defend someone else, says a lot about who he is.”
His mother took the time to thank one of the first responders who tried to save her son’s life before paramedics arrived.
“You are my hero,” he said.
“Thank you for telling my son that his family loved him because those were the last words he would ever hear.”
Assumption College, where the 22-year-old went to high school, described him as a “mature, humorous and good-hearted young man.”
“We extend our sincere condolences to Aidan’s family and friends at this difficult time,” the school said in a statement Friday afternoon. he said.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan was reduced to tears after visiting the station earlier this week.
“This is an opportunity for me to sit down and listen,” he told reporters.
Ms Allan said her government’s Violence Reduction Unit was working on the ground to understand what led to the incident.
Mike Pikos, 18, the eldest of the four accused teenagers, appeared before the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Sunday and was remanded in custody to return to court on June 24.
A 16-year-old from Whittlesea, a 17-year-old from Geelong and a 17-year-old from Yarra City have been charged with murder and armed robbery.
They will appear in juvenile court at a later date.
