By Angus Delaney
A man was killed in a ruthless attack after he and his friends were set upon by a group armed with knives at a park in Melbourne’s outer west.
In a tragic twist, his death comes two years after his older brother was shot to death outside the family home.
Lino Atem, 24, was found dead with stab wounds in a reserve on Haines Drive in Wyndham Vale late on Friday night.
Two 27-year-old men were taken to separate hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.
Four others, all from the area and aged between 24 and 28 years old, were in attendance with Atem and arrested nearby. But police say the attackers are still on the run.
Police gather on Saturday at the scene of the Wyndham Vale stabbing death.Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui
Detective Inspector Paul Lloyd said Atem and his friends had spent a few hours socialising in the park before at least seven other males pulled up in several white cars and instantly “started the altercation” in “attack-mode”.
“It certainly appeared targeted, the way that they turned out and just [got] straight into it,” said Lloyd.
“[The victim] certainly felt the full force of this attack.
“There’s no doubt whoever was wielding the blow has had some clear intent to seriously damage and probably kill him.”
In February 2023, Atem Atem, Lino’s oldest brother, was shot outside the family home after a large group of people confronted him and another two men at the house.
At the time, Detective Inspector Chris Murray described it as “two young men … at home minding their own business when this tragic event occurred”.
The family, which includes eight children, moved to Australia from South Sudan in 2003 and has lived in the Wyndham Vale home since 2007. The family’s dog was also shot in the 2023 attack.
Lloyd said that although he couldn’t be certain because the investigation was ongoing, the groups could be known to each other.
A forensics officer at the crime scene in Wyndham Vale. Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui
“There’s normally a story behind these things.”
He said it was unclear whether the incident involved gang activity but that it would be part of the investigation.
Opposition leader Brad Battin described the incident as a tragedy and said stabbings had become all too common in Victoria.
“Our thoughts today are with the family… it doesn’t matter where we are on the political spectrum, our voice is with you,” he told reporters in Werribee on Saturday, just a 10-minute drive from where the fatal stabbing took place.
“We understand the pain you are going through.”
The stabbing occurred near a primary school in a mostly residential area.
A crime scene has been established, and homicide detectives are investigating. Police are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.
With Henrietta Cook
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has dashcam/CCTV footage, or any information, is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit crimestoppersvic.com.au.
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