A 16-year-old boy is in hospital and “recovering well” after suffering stab wounds in a fight, which involved as many as 12 people and left an 18-year-old man dead, at a skate park in Weston in the early hours of Sunday morning.
ACT policing said while no charges have yet been laid, they’ve spoken to numerous people and amassed a “significant” amount of information on the evening’s events prior to the attack.
“This death is extremely distressing,” an ACT Policing spokesperson said.
“If the people involved in the incident are listening to this, I’d encourage them to come forward now.
“A number of people have come forward already, but we would like everyone involved to come forward.
“We’ll work with them; we’d like to talk about how the incident played out.
“If you think someone you know may be involved, please encourage them to come forward.”
ACT Policing said the white Toyota owned by the 18-year-old deceased male is being forensically examined for DNA and, over the next few days, police will conduct an operation canvassing the area for CCTV footage.
ACT Policing said the incident was “absolutely not gang related” as there was no information or evidence for that and at this stage there was no evidence of drugs being involved, but they did confirm the two victims were known to each other.
ACT Policing also downplayed questions about a lack of police presence in the area and said the distressing element of the incident was that it “happened in our community at all”.
“This is a very serious incident; we’ll take it very seriously and follow every lead, find out who is responsible and take them before the court,” the spokesperson said.
“It’s a tragic situation, the families are affected, police dealing with the families are affected.
“I hope we have the people responsible before the courts very soon.”
ACT Policing said the exact reasons the group of youths – aged 16 to adult – were at the park is still “part of the investigation” but urged parents to be diligent in supervising their kids.
“Know where your children are, what they are up to, what they need and intervene when needed.
“Supervise your children.”
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