Six teens charged as grieving parents vow to forgive son's attackers - The Age

Six boys, aged between 13 and 16, have been charged with violent disorder and affray and are due to face a Children's Court on Wednesday afternoon. No one has been charged over the death.

Solomone's grieving mother, father and aunt visited the scene on Wednesday morning clutching a bunch of yellow and blue flowers.

His father 'Atunaisa was overcome with grief and collapsed to the ground as he approached the scene with Solomone's mother Salome and aunt.

"Fly high, son. Love you," his mother said.

Solomone's father 'Atunaisa is overcome with grief at the scene, next to Solomone's mother Salome and aunt.Credit:Eddie Jim

"He's humble, he's active, he's funny. We don't want any justice. We want our son back home.

"We did not have a chance to see him last night so we wanted to come here."

Both parents said the family had already gathered together, prayed and vowed to forgive their son's attackers.

"Everyone dies in a different situation," 'Atunaisa said. "Heavenly father needed my son to come back.

"We don't know who is their [the attackers'] family but we love them ... the parents don't teach bad things to the children. It's their children's choice."

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

Nine people spent the night in custody after the fatal stabbing and a second brawl that broke out at the scene hours later.

Solomone's friend, 16-year-old Veni Atonio, also went to the scene to pray on Wednesday morning.

"I don't know why they had to take an innocent boy," he said.

Veni Atonio (centre) at the scene of the fatal attack on Wednesday morning.Credit:Eddie Jim

"I don’t know why this generation is all about ... shivs, killing each other, when they don’t know how the parents will feel. It’s not a parents' job to bury their own children."

Veni remembered his school mate fondly. "With that kind of smile that man has, it’s unforgettable. We are just going to miss him so much.

"It was a stupid act. They should have done something else instead of ... knives and bats."

Veni Atonio prays at the scene where his friend was killed.Credit:Eddie Jim

Veni said he heard the attackers might have been trying to get to someone else, because of something said on social media.

Police, including officers on horseback, were patrolling the crime scene on Wednesday morning.

Meanwhile, police and security guards were at the gates of Victoria University Secondary College in St Albans, where Solomone was a student.

A police officer at the gates of Victoria University Secondary College in St Albans on Wednesday morning.Credit:Eddie Jim

A staff member locked the front gates about 9.30am and a security guard put up a sign advising people to call the school if they need access to the grounds.

Police initially reported Solomone was 16 years old, but confirmed on Wednesday that he was 15.

The group that allegedly attacked Solomone ran off after the stabbing, but six teenage boys were arrested on nearby Billingham Road a short time later.

A 13-year-old boy from Hoppers Crossing, three boys from St Albans aged 14, 15 and 16, and a 15-year-old Deer Park boy were due to face court on Wednesday afternoon.

Foa Galuega, a family friend, said Solomone was a "good kid".

"He goes to church. He comes from a good family, a humble family. It's just so unfortunate this has happened to him," Ms Galuega said.

She said the fight broke out over an online conflict.

"I think it’s all got to do with social media and bullying and things that they say online and they came after him," she said.

The scene of the Deer Park stabbing on Tuesday night.Credit:AAP

Another friend said he tried to intervene in the fight. "We came and pushed them off and then it was too late because [Solomone] already got stabbed," the friend said.

Bystanders told Nine they applied pressure to the boy's wounds before an ambulance arrived.

Paramedics treated Solomone at the scene, but he could not be resuscitated.

Paramedics at the scene when a teen was stabbed on Tuesday afternoon.Credit:Nine

Hours later, a fight broke out at the scene involving about 30 people.

Footage of the second brawl posted on social media shows people running into the taped-off crime scene about 8pm.

A person can be heard in the footage shouting, "I'll kill you" while bystanders yell "stop".

A police officer was taken to hospital for minor injuries and another man was treated for a cut to the head.

Police outside Brimbank Shopping Centre on Tuesday afternoon.Credit:Nine News Melbourne

Three teenage boys were arrested at the scene and interviewed by police.

A 15-year-old Sunshine boy and a 17-year-old Point Cook boy were released pending summons for assault-related offences.

A 15-year-old Hoppers Crossing boy was interviewed and released.

Homicide detectives are appealing for anyone who witnessed the fatal attack, or has CCTV or dashcam footage to come forward.

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2020-06-17 04:17:39Z
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