Bravey: Alice Ah Fa died on Tuesday. Mr Ah Fa and family members were praised for their actions during the Minto terror attack in 2016 (above, after receiving his award)
A young man who died in a suspected suicide at a Sydney university was a hero during an alleged terrorist attack and a ‘good man’, his family said.
Allice Ah Fa, 20, was found dead at Western Sydney University’s Bankstown campus on Tuesday.
Mr Ah Fa and his relatives bravely confronted an alleged terrorist who was trying to stab a Minto man in broad daylight in September 2016.
Allice was enrolled at the university, studying to become a police officer, when he died this week.
‘He was a good boy,’ said his uncle Sivei Ah Chong.
‘It’s very hard. Everybody’s shocked – in our community, in our church.’
Family did not know the reason behind the tragedy, but said he was a quiet boy who kept to himself.
Mr Ah Chong said he treated Allice like a son.
He often came over to his house, including on a fateful day about eighteen months ago where Mr Ah Chong, his son, wife and late nephew confronted an alleged Islamic terrorist on their own street.
Mr Ah Fa (left) helped save Wayne Greenhalgh after he was allegedly attacked by a knife-wielding man in September 2016
Mr Ah Fa (in hoodie, upper left hand side) with his extended family as they rushed to confronted the alleged terrorist
Police arrested the man after Mr Ah Fa and his relatives confronted the man on a Minto street
The man was allegedly waving around a butchers knife and allegedly tried to stab Mr Ah Chong’s neighbour Wayne Greenhalgh.
Armed with brooms, planks of wood and rocks, the family fought the alleged attacker to a standstill.
Their brave actions gave the 57-year-old time to flee and for police to arrive.
The late uni student’s father, Tanielu Ah Fa, said the family were all very proud when he was given an award for bravery.
‘We were all very happy when he got the award,’ he said.
Then, New South Wales police commissioner Andrew Scipione even praised Mr Ahfa for wanting to become a police officer.
‘To know these two young men are hoping to join the NSW Police Force should give the community a great deal of confidence in the future,’ Mr Scipione said in 2016.
But today the family are mourning a tragedy. Mr Ah Fa said they were struggling to come to terms with his death.
‘We were talking together on Sunday … we talked, we laugh, we’re watching TV.
‘In the morning, I wake him up and drop at the station.
‘That’s my last scene, “see you”, “bye”.
‘And I never seen anything happening to him, or worry, there’s no worry on his face.’
Western Sydney University confirmed the body was of a student at the Bankstown campus
‘Due to unforeseen events the gym is closed for the rest of the evening,’ Western Sydney University Bankstown Gym said on Facebook
The tragic discovery was announced to students on Tuesday afternoon
His uncle Mr Ah Chong said he would like his nephew to be remembered as a hero.
‘He (was) always happy, laughing. But I always see him, he’s stressed out for some reason.
The boy’s parents met with police on Wednesday.
Western Sydney University closed its gym and had counsellors available on site for students.
The university was approached for further comment. A police spokesman said the death was not suspicious and investigations continue.
Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or speak to Lifeline online.
Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.