Solomone Taufeulungaki, 15, was allegedly stabbed to death by a group of youths at Deer Park, in Melbourne’s west
At least 10 teenage gangs are embroiled in a bitter turf war in Melbourne where a 15-year-old boy was stabbed to death after school with fears a bloody clash could erupt on Friday night as friends seek revenge.
Solomone Taufeulungaki, 15, was stabbed to death in an alleged gang attack outside the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Deer Park, west Melbourne, on Tuesday afternoon.
His devastated family and friends built a shrine to him on the street and gathered on Wednesday night to sing hymns, leave flowers and mourn.
His friends insist he was not affiliated with any gang, but tensions had reportedly been brewing between the ‘BH’ or Brotherhood, and 97 gangs prior to his death.
The Herald Sun reports there at least 10 rival gangs in Melbourne using social media to organise street fights to claim territory, the publication claimed.
Appearing under the pseudonym ‘Zach’, a 15-year-old leader of ‘Young Reckless Drillaz’, another Melbourne gang stationed in Cranbourne, previously said he enjoys the reputation of being considered a ‘thug’
While tensions had appeared to be running high, in the aftermath of the stabbing many of the youths who had bragged about gang affiliations posted that they had now ‘de-patched’. One youth said the decision came after he realised he or a loved one could easily have been killed
Members of these gangs are reportedly active on social media, frequently sharing videos and evidence of the violence to Snapchat and Instagram – potentially as an attempt to recruit new members.
BP and 97 are considered rivals as they often recruit from the same suburbs with most of the members are Pacific Islander youths.
Both groups have been expanding over the past few months increasing tension in the community.
HP Boys, another rival gang, has also expanded rapidly recently and boasts more than 200 members, mostly Pacific Islander youths.
Their primary rival are the NGS – also known as 710 which is based in Melbourne’s southeast and comprised primarily of African youths.
Gang members frequently share photos and videos of themselves armed with weapons and brawling online.
Eastside Drillers, 37 and Westside are all prominent gangs within Melbourne at present as well according to the publication.
A teenage gang member (pictured), who wears a machete holster around his waist, previously said he enjoys the lifestyle – feeling a sense of belonging to the ‘boys’
There are concerns the gangs could be arranging a fight in Deer Park on Friday night following Solomone’s tragic death.
A mother, who asked not to be named, told the publication her son had seen social media messages from rival gangs organising fights in recent weeks.
‘They always organise fights through social media, these gangs fight to claim their territory, but it’s so stupid because it’s over petty stuff,’ the mother said.
‘I have now seen Snapchat messages that show a fight will be organised in retaliation at Deer Park on Friday night, it just needs to stop.’
Mourners returned to the scene on Wednesday afternoon to pay tribute to Taufeulungaki
Mr and Mrs Taufeulungaki added a bunch of flowers to the makeshift shrine at the scene, before the couple pledged to forgive those responsible for killing their son
Solomone’s devastated parents attended the scene where their son was killed on Wednesday morning but instead of adding to the rising tensions they called for calm
Both the victim and the alleged attackers attended the same school in St Albans, and police and security were at the school gates on Wednesday morning.
But Solomone’s friends claim he had no gang affiliation himself, and was a prominent member of his local Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints church and school community.
His parents on Tuesday said they hope nobody decides to retaliate, and that they had forgiven his alleged attackers.
‘We want our son back home… we don’t need any justice,’ Solomone’s mum Salome Taufeulungaki said tearfully.
A mourner buries his head in his hands next to dozens of floral tributes at Brimbank Shopping Centre
Solomone Taufeulungaki (pictured), 15, was allegedly attacked by a group of youths outside the Brimbank Shopping Centre at Deer Park about 4pm on Tuesday
Mourners gather to pay their respect and sing at the site of Solomone Taufeulungaki’s death on Wednesday afternoon
‘Rest In Love Toko. Actually speechless aye, all I know is that I will see you again,’ Mape Taufeulungaki (right) wrote alongside a picture with his brother Solomone (left)
‘We love them. We need to send love to their parents,’ Mr Taufeulungaki said of the alleged attackers on Wednesday.
Mourners gathered at the site of Solomone’s death, which has become a makeshift shrine to the teenager, on Wednesday night to sing hymns and leave flowers, notes and balloons.
‘Every Sunday my son come to this church. I believe maybe every Sunday his spirit (will) join with us in this true church,’ Mr Taufeulungaki told reporters.
A GoFundMe page has also been set up to help the family pay for the funeral of the ‘caring, kind, selfless and humble soul’.
As of 9am on Thursday, more than $40,000 had been raised.
Six boys, aged 13 to 16, faced a Children’s Court on Wednesday night charged with violent disorder and affray in connection with the incident.
Three were released on bail with strict conditions including a curfew.
The magistrate indicated more people could be charged over Solomone’s death.
No one has been charged with directly causing his death.
Police forensic workers are pictured outside a Melbourne shopping centre after a teenager was allegedly stabbed to death in a brawl