Police identify gangs involved with Solomone's death, call on witnesses to 'do the right thing' - The Age

"He told [me] ...'Run Aki. Run Aki'. I ran across the street to the church and then they got him and that's when he got beat up," 14-year-old Aki told Nine's Today program on Thursday.

Witnesses who saw the attack say Solomone was stabbed multiple times in the stomach and chest by boys who were armed with knives and baseball bats. Emergency services worked for a period on the boy, but he died at the scene.

Six teenage boys aged between 13 and 16 were arrested a short time later and all six have subsequently been charged with violent disorder and affray, but a number of other members of the group fled the scene.

Another 15-year-old boy presented himself to police on Wednesday night and has also been charged with affray.

No one has yet been charged directly with Solomone's death.

Police revealed on Sunday that the youth gangs at the centre of the incident had been involved in a number of violent scuffles leading up to Solomone's death, including a "significant altercation" in Warringa Crescent in Hoppers Crossing on May 23. The altercation happened after another at the site of Solomone's death at Brimbank Shopping Centre the day before the fatal attack.

Family released white balloons in memory of Solomone Taufeulungaki during a ceremony at the site of his death on Friday night.Credit:Joe Armao

Detective Inspector Tim Day, officer in charge of the Homicide Squad, called on members of the groups involved to speak up for Solomone.

“This is an act of senseless, cowardly and extreme violence in public and in daylight hours,” he said.

“It’s resulted in the death of a teenage boy who had his whole life ahead of him – his family will never see him grow up, finish school, have a career, create a family of his own.

“We know there are members of the groups involved in Solomone’s death who are uncomfortable with what has happened and that the actions of a few have gone too far, and this is their time to speak up for him.

“Police need your assistance. Investigators have spoken to a large number of people, however we are certain that there are other people who witnessed the assault who have not yet come forward," he said.

Detective Day said witnesses and some of the boys involved in the attack had likely spoken to others about what happened when Solomone was killed, and pleaded for those who had heard accounts "to do the right thing and come forward as well".

“If you want to speak to police then we can arrange this and there is also the opportunity to provide information confidentially via Crime Stoppers," he said.

“Again, this is your time to speak up and I cannot be clearer that this investigation is far from over.”

Gang brawls are often filmed and shared on social media, and detectives have called for anyone with footage of Tuesday's attack to contact police, as well as anyone driving in the area between 3.30pm and 4.30pm who may have captured dashcam footage.

Solomone's parents Salome and 'Atunaisa visit the scene where their son was killed.Credit:Eddie Jim

Members of the Melbourne's Pacific Island community spoke out against gang violence at a candlelit vigil on Friday night.

Laumape Taufeulungaki, Solomone's elder brother, appealed to his brother's attackers, offering forgiveness.

"Yes we're hurting, there are a lot of people hurting. But for all that hurt we still have love," he said.

"For anyone that was involved, we know and believe that if we love one another the world will be a better place."

There has been a significant police presence in the Deer Park area over the past week, including mounted officer and the Public Order Response Team, to quell community fears of reprisal attacks.

"Victoria Police is here to support the community and we encourage residents to engage with police officers and share any concerns they might have," a Victoria Police spokeswoman said.

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https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMinQFodHRwczovL3d3dy50aGVhZ2UuY29tLmF1L25hdGlvbmFsL3ZpY3RvcmlhL3BvbGljZS1pZGVudGlmeS1nYW5ncy1pbnZvbHZlZC13aXRoLXNvbG9tb25lLXMtZGVhdGgtY2FsbC1vbi13aXRuZXNzZXMtdG8tZG8tdGhlLXJpZ2h0LXRoaW5nLTIwMjAwNjIxLXA1NTRtMi5odG1s0gGdAWh0dHBzOi8vYW1wLnRoZWFnZS5jb20uYXUvbmF0aW9uYWwvdmljdG9yaWEvcG9saWNlLWlkZW50aWZ5LWdhbmdzLWludm9sdmVkLXdpdGgtc29sb21vbmUtcy1kZWF0aC1jYWxsLW9uLXdpdG5lc3Nlcy10by1kby10aGUtcmlnaHQtdGhpbmctMjAyMDA2MjEtcDU1NG0yLmh0bWw?oc=5

2020-06-20 21:34:57Z
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