Love triangle behind violent ‘gang’ stabbing at Elizabeth Downs on ‘innocent bystander’

The family of a father of five stabbed in a brutal attack says he was caught in the middle of “something he doesn’t know”, saying he’s innocent and friendly.

Romance, hate and revenge culminated in the horrific stabbing of an innocent father-of-five as a messy love triangle turned to bloodshed at a house in Elizabeth Downs.

Emmanuel Musengimana, 35, was found by emergency services with life-threatening injuries to his chest and arm when called to Justinian Street on Sunday night.

A 21-year-old woman who was interviewed at the address claims she was the intended victim of a revenge attack over a love triangle gone wrong.

When she refused to come outside, she says the irate group turned on Mr Musengimana who was having a cigarette. He was taken by ambulance to Royal Adelaide Hospital for surgery and is on a ventilator.

On Monday morning there was a pool of dried blood still at the front door of the property where nine people, including three children aged between two and 13, live.

The woman said Mr Musengimana was just “an innocent bystander.”

Elizabeth Downs stabbing victim Emmanuel Musengimana. Picture: Supplied

Elizabeth Downs stabbing victim Emmanuel Musengimana. Picture: Supplied

The blood stain on the front porch where a man was stabbed in the chest and arm. Picture: Dean Martin

The home where the stabbing took place. Picture Dean Martin

She said a group of six men and two women “wearing ski masks and dressed in black”, came to confront her over a relationship she had with an unnamed man.

“Last night there was a bunch of people getting revenge,” the woman said. “I was really scared.

“They were banging on the door, they said come outside and I didn’t know there was a knife.”

The woman said the victim was “just outside smoking” when the group suddenly attacked him.

“They left him there after they stabbed him,” she said. “They said ‘get your boy before he dies’.”

The love triangle altercation began two weeks ago, the woman said.

“There was some type of interaction and then it got chaotic,” she said. “There’s been no violence until last night, it’s ridiculous.”

This woman says she was the intended target of the brutal attack. Picture Dean Martin

The woman said she “doesn’t think it’s the end of it (the violence)” and fears the group may return.

“We just want to get justice,” she said.

Mr Musengimana is with children as young as one and was described as “innocent” and personable by his brother-in-law Jackson Bamvuga.

“He gets on well with anyone and he just loves being around people,” Mr Bamvuga, 35, said.

Mr Bamvuga was only alerted to the incident by police on Monday morning as he was “on his way back from work”, he said.

“It’s disgusting what happened. We just pray for his recovery.”

Mr Bamvuga said his brother-in-law became “a victim of something he doesn’t know” after being caught in the middle of an altercation. “It’s very sad,” he said of the argument that sparked the incident.

The home where the attack took place. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Roy VanDerVegt

Elizabeth Downs stabbing victim Emmanuel Musengimana. Picture: Supplied

“People can argue but it doesn’t have to be in that kind of way and it doesn’t have to go into a near-death situation.”

Mr Bamvuga said he is worried for the safety of his family. “We don’t know who’s next,” he said.

Mr Musengimana’s sister, Eugenia Nzeyrimana, 37, was too distraught to speak.

Northern District CIB detectives and crime scene investigators attended the scene and doorknocked the area. Investigations are continuing.

Police are not investigating whether the attack was “gang-related” at this stage.

A young girl visiting the family, Lila Greenwood, said she was caught up in the incident and sustained a cut to her hand.

“I got hit with a knife,” Lila, 14, said.

“They came up to the house and they broke through the gate.

“They stabbed the door.”

Lila said a knife was then thrown. “I stopped it with my hand,” she said, describing the knife as “about 15cm”.

Eugenia Nzeyrimana, right, with husband Jackson Bamvuga, second from right, and other family members. Picture Dean Martin

Jackson Bamvuga and Eugenia Nzeyrimana, the sister of Emmanuel Musengimana. Picture: Dean Martin

A neighbour across the street, Angela Rojas, 40, said she “closed the windows and shut the gate” to her property when she heard the commotion.

“I waited until the noise stopped to have a look,” Ms Rojas said. “I popped my head out and saw police cars and ambos.”

Ms Rojas said the incident was “a shame” as she said it was usually “not a bad street”.

Another neighbour, Shane Pladis said he heard “a bit of an argument”.

“There was a lot of yelling and screaming,” Mr Pladis, 37, said.

“There was a group and they were banging on the door (of a house).”

Anyone who witnessed this incident or has any information that may assist the investigation is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperssa.com.au.