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“The victim has been able to walk a short distance, and before collapsing, a shop owner has seen the male and approached him, and provided him with some first aid assistance before contacting police.”
The detective inspector said it was an “extremely confronting” incident that was witnessed by many people going about their evening.
The victim’s family had been left “traumatised” by his brutal death, Tilley said.
A crime scene was established around the shopping centre car park. Late on Friday night, forensic investigators could be seen examining a silver sedan with its door left open at the scene.
Tilley said police would investigate whether there were any gang associations or prior offending by those involved, and warned there was the possibility of retaliatory attacks following the death.
“When someone is harming the community, if they are affiliated to a gang or a group, there is always concern of retribution and retaliation,” he said.
Police investigate a silver sedan at the scene of the fatal stabbing. Credit: Nine News
“I’m not saying that this incident is linked to two gangs, but any incident that plays out in this nature involving machetes or edged weapons is a concern to us.
“We’re grateful that there’s new legislation that’s looking at being progressed in relation to machetes potentially becoming prohibited weapons.”
Witness Abhijeet Singh said he saw a scuffle break out among a group of young men with “lots of screaming and fists being thrown” before the death occurred.
Singh said on social media that he saw one young man wielding a machete, then had to take cover in a local supermarket.
The incident comes days after Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan announced that she would ban machetes, implement sweeping bail changes for young offenders and give police expanded powers to stop and search people as part of a suite of reforms after months of community angst about youth crime and repeat offenders.
People caught carrying blades longer than 20 centimetres will face jail terms of up to two years or fines starting at $47,000 under the changes from September 1. There will be an amnesty for people to dispose of them until November 30.
Anyone who witnessed the incident, has footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
