Major update after ‘soft-hearted’ teenager was stabbed to death during violent brawl in Brisbane park

By REX MARTINICH FOR AAP and PADRAIG COLLINS FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: 05:47 GMT, 12 March 2025 | Updated: 05:47 GMT, 12 March 2025

Ten people including three brothers have been found guilty of murder after a ‘soft-hearted’ teenager was stabbed to death in a ‘planned’ attack in a public park. 

A total of 12 defendants faced Queensland Supreme Court in Brisbane on Wednesday for their verdicts, each charged with murdering Girum Mekonnen, following a judge-only trial in November 2024.

At the time of his killing friends said Mr Mekonnen was simply ‘in the wrong place at the wrong time’. 

Prosecutor Nathan Crane previously told Justice Lincoln Crowley the 19-year-old died near Zillmere park in Brisbane’s north on September 13, 2020.

Justice Crowley heard the motive for the attack was retaliation for the bashing of John Wal Wal at an Ipswich shopping centre five days before Mr Mekonnen was stabbed.

John Wal Wal is the brother of four of the defendants Kresto, Gabreal and Yohana Wal Wal and Santo Wal.

Justice Crowley on Wednesday found Kresto Wal Wal, 29, Gabreal Wal Wal, 31, and Santo Wal, 36 each guilty of murder.

The three defendants were also found guilty of nine of 10 other charges including causing grievous bodily harm with intent, unlawful wounding with bats, knives and machetes and assault causing bodily harm against 10 alleged victims.

Girum Mekonnen (pictured) was stabbed to death near Zillmere park in Brisbane’s north

A police officer gathers crime scene tape near a small memorial where flowers were laid at the site of the fatal stabbing

Majok Riel Majok, 23, Alex Edward Deng, 22, Chan Kuchmol Kon, 28, Joseph Lokolong, 28, Abraham Ajang Yaak, 30, Ben Abio, 23, Juma Makuol Deng Makuol, 28, were also found guilty of murder.

‘(Mr Mekonnen) suffered a wound to his abdomen that severed the most significant vein in the human body… somebody had put a bladed weapon to the most vulnerable part of the body and pushed it in 25centimetres,’ Mr Crane previously said.

Mr Crane said Mr Mekonnen had been part of a group of people drinking alcohol and playing cards at the park when the accused formed a ‘cordon’ around the deck where they were sitting.

‘They arrived. They produced weapons. They immediately started using the weapons,’ he said.

Yohana Wal Wal on Wednesday was found not guilty of murder and not guilty of 10 other charges related to assaults and wounding.

Malat Akoi Makuach, 25, was also found not guilty of murder and 10 other charges.

Each defendant said ‘no’ when Justice Crowley asked if they had anything to say before being sentenced.

Justice Crowley said he intended to sentence the defendants on March 31.

The front of Zillmere PCYC (pictured) was declared a crime scene after the fatal brawl

A red car (pictured) believed to be connected to the brawl was towed away from the scene 

Relatives of Mr Mekonnen said his group, which called themselves ’34’ in homage to Zillmere’s 4034 postcode, were just a bunch of friends who had barbecues together.

They believed Mr Mekonnen’s death was ‘collateral damage’ in a feud with others. 

‘Those boys are always around my kids – so they’re not a gang. Girum liked their vibe and started hanging out with them recently and got caught up in this stuff,’ a friend said at the time.

‘He’s a soft-hearted person that doesn’t like fighting, he doesn’t like when people are arguing.’

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Major update after ‘soft-hearted’ teenager was stabbed to death during violent brawl in Brisbane park

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