‘Life will never be the same’: charges laid after 16-year-old allegedly fatally stabbed at shopping centre in Melbourne’s west

A 16-year-old has been remembered as a “beautiful soul” after he was allegedly stabbed to death at a shopping centre in Melbourne’s west.

Charges have been laid after a teenager was allegedly stabbed to death at a shopping centre in Melbourne’s west, with the 16-year-old being remembered as a “beautiful soul”.

Oscar Hamilton was reportedly set upon in the outdoor food court at Woodgrove Shopping Centre in Melton West after an alleged altercation just before midday on Tuesday.

Paramedics performed CPR on the 16-year-old from Harkness, however he died at the scene.

The alleged offender, a 15-year-old Melton West boy, has since been charged with one count of murder.

Oscar Hamilton, 16, was allegedly stabbed to death at Woodgrove Shopping Centre. Picture: Facebook.

He is set to front a children’s court at a later date.

Mr Hamilton’s girlfriend shared a touching tribute to a Facebook group dedicated to him on Tuesday night, writing that “life will never be the same” without him.

“To this beautiful soul that I was lucky enough to call my boyfriend. It was never meant to end this way but I’m guessing heaven needed you more than us,” she wrote on Facebook.

“Nobody will ever get over this. You filled everyone’s live with so much light and joy. You never failed to bring a smile to faces. Life will never be the same without you.

“My heart will forever ache knowing that you are gone.”

She also pledged to “get (him) justice”.

“Everyone was so lucky to have you in their life. This world was too cruel for your beautiful soul,” she wrote.

Mr Hamilton has been remembered as a ‘beautiful soul’. Picture: Facebook.

Others flocked to the Facebook group to add their own tributes, with many echoing Mr Hamilton was “taken too soon”.

“Oscar you are loved caring sweet and kind you are the best person ever thank you for being such a nice mate to me and my siblings,” one wrote.

“My younger brother misses you today he said I miss Oscar playing dinosaurs with me but we’re gonna get justice for you Oscar.”

“What has this world come to it’s so f***ed that we lost a good friend of ours. The nicest person I would ever meet, now he’s going to be in a better place now bro rest in peace brother,” another wrote.

“He was taken too soon he didn’t deserve what happened to him … we will get justice for you Oscar,” added another.

His girlfriend also said a balloon raising, memorial site and walking protest “to get Oscar justice” will be organised.

There have been at least two other violent fights at Woodgrove Shopping Centre this year. Picture: NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

A 15-year-old boy has since been charged with one count of murder following Mr Hamilton’s death. Picture: NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

The death follows an alleged machete attack at Melton train station just last Tuesday where a teen suffered a laceration to his hand.

Woodgrove Shopping Centre was also embroiled in a violent brawl back in April, where two teenage boys – aged 15 and 16 – were arrested.

Photos shared on social media show a boy raising what appeared to be a machete.

It followed a similar incident in January where another violent attack unfolded, with a machete also believed to be wielded.

Members of the wider community have taken to social media to express their outrage following the death of Mr Hamilton.

“This has to stop. We aren’t even safe to take our kids out to a local shopping centre to do the grocery shopping these days,” one wrote to Facebook.

“Police need to start patrolling the centre especially on school holidays. It’s absolutely devastating!”

“This s*** needs to stop! I’m so over it can’t even feel safe to go out anymore take our kids out etc! What a joke,” another added.

“This is getting out of control … our kids are no longer safe anywhere!”

Originally published as ‘Life will never be the same’: charges laid after 16-year-old allegedly fatally stabbed at shopping centre in Melbourne’s west