People started screaming. Someone started filming. A boy vomited

3 months ago 36

Teenagers were gathered in their usual hangout spot, spread out over picnic tables, sending Snapchats, smoking and relaxing after school, when they became witness to a horrific alleged stabbing that took the life of a beloved, “goofy” and caring 17-year-old boy.

The boy was blindsided in the alleged attack. He fell to the ground, bleeding profusely. Shoeless, he began to stumble over the wooden steps leading to the grass, a witness said. People started screaming. One called Triple Zero. Someone started filming. One boy vomited. Bystanders rushed to help.

Mourners embraced and cried at the park, where many had spent dozens of happy afrernoons with friends.

The Herald has spoken to nearly a dozen teenagers, police sources and others familiar with the incident who spoke of the traumatising event in the park behind a school in Sydney’s north-west. Two 15-year-olds have been charged with murder. Parents and teens have raised concerns about the rise of knife crime and young children succumbing to peer pressure.

The 17-year-old victim was hanging out with friends at Bruce Purser Reserve in Rouse Hill, an area with a football field and cricket pitches, surrounded by bushland and running trails. On hot days, cicadas almost drown out the raucous yelling of the kids.

The undercover barbecue area at the park is a popular meeting spot among teens, described as a good “middle ground” as it backs onto Rouse Hill High School and is a short walk to Rouse Hill shopping centre and Metro, where children duck into the shops. Kids spread out over the picnic tables and smoke bongs in the nearby bathroom, closing the door to “hotbox” the space and keep the smoke in. It’s a place to chat, share vapes and cigarettes and drink.

On Monday afternoon, children were doing precisely that: sending messages on Snapchat and relaxing. The victim was with three friends, with more planning to come that afternoon, including several from Rouse Hill High School.

The teen was stabbed in the groin with a household knife, the court heard.

Just after 4pm, four boys, including the two alleged murderers, walked up to the victim. The court heard the first alleged offender was wearing a balaclava.

The first 15-year-old allegedly lunged at the victim. The court heard the teen was alleged to have “set upon the deceased, unprovoked, and has stabbed him in the groin area”.

The victim collapsed on the grass. Several female witnesses ran over and rendered aid, police said. First responders arrived quickly and began working on him, taking turns to administer aid and IV drips. A CareFlight helicopter circled above.

But the wound was too deep, and the boy died on the grass.

Police at Bruce Purser Reserve in Rouse Hill after the stabbing.

The two alleged offenders were seen fleeing, police said. One of them was wearing his uniform. Teens at the scene gave the names of those involved. Police seized a household knife from the bush. It is undergoing forensic examination.

The two boys charged had both recently turned 15. One went to Rouse Hill High and the other attended a different private school.

It didn’t take long for the boy, who was alleged to have stabbed the victim, to reach out to police, arriving at the local police station about 7pm that day, less than three hours after the victim’s death. A parent escorted him. He told police he knew the victim.

The parents of a 15-year-old boy charged with murder will require an interpreter for court proceeedings.

The court heard the first boy played a “leading role” and was the only person who used a knife to stab the victim. Police believe forensic tests would show the victim’s DNA on the accused killer’s hands and under his fingernails, the court heard.

The second teen was arrested at a home in Rouse Hill on Tuesday night with assistance from riot squad officers, hours after his co-accused faced court.

The second boy, who looked younger than 15, was supported by his parents in court. The parents require a translator for future appearances.

Both boys will spend the next two months in custody awaiting their next court date on January 23.

Several emergency response teams, including a CareFlight helicopter, were sent to the park

Peer pressure and knife crime

The boy’s death has rocked the community, with teenagers saying they’re fearful of the surge in knife crime.

The teens raised concerns about peer pressure, with teens egging one another on and attempting to one-up each other. It was common to carry knives, ranging from small pocket knives to large machete-types under the guise of “protection”, one said.

“People just go and steal knives [from Kmart],” one said.

By Wednesday afternoon, dozens of bouquets were laid at the site of the teen’s death.

A group of girls said they were concerned about children taking knives out with them to the shopping centre and the Metro.

One resident, Tania, who asked that only her first name be used, said there’d been an increase in crime as the area became more populous with the opening of the Metro.

“It’s a tragic event [but] I’m not surprised. I walk through here ... and see evidence of drugs and paraphernalia and that sort of thing,” she said.

“It’s an area where it’s secluded, close to the schools, a hangout for a lot of kids … I see them smoking, socialising. I’ve heard some heated arguments here.”

Tributes flow for “goofy”, loved boy

By Wednesday afternoon, dozens of bouquets were laid metres from where the victim succumbed to his injuries. Teens left notes, letters, a packet of cigarettes, a soccer ball and a bong made from a Gatorade bottle, writing messages on a large canvas poster and directly on the concrete. “Taken too soon” notes read. “Forever 17.”

The victim’s girlfriend arrived wearing black and was embraced by friends. “He was an amazing person. He didn’t deserve this,” she told the Herald.

Friends remembered him as “goofy”, friendly and the life of the party. “Every time something happened, he was always there.”

“He always brightened any room he walked into,” one said.

The victim’s best friend told the Herald the victim was a “caring” boy. “He always cared about everyone, put everyone before himself. We’d usually come here [to the park], and he’d brighten the mood,” he said.

“It only takes one life to ruin so many more.”

The Herald has been in contact with the boy’s family. None of the children can be named for legal reasons.

A NSW Department of Education spokesperson said counselling was available for students and staff at nearby schools.

“Our thoughts and condolences are with the family, friends and community impacted by this tragedy,” the spokesperson said.

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