Ten teens charged as boy remains in coma after attack in his sleep

Ten teenagers have been charged over the alleged attack in Brisbane of a 17-year-old who was left in a coma.

The youths, between the ages of 15 and 17, have been charged with attempted murder, grievous bodily harm and contravening an order about information to access information stored electronically.

Detective Superintendent Tony Fleming speaks with the media about the attack on a 17-year-old male.Credit: Internet

The victim was allegedly attacked while he was sleeping in a bedroom at an inner-city apartment block on Railway Terrace, Milton, on Saturday morning.

He remained in a coma with head injuries at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital on Wednesday night.

Detective Superintendent Tony Fleming said 12 males went to the complex about 3.15am and were allegedly let in by people who had rented the apartment overnight.

“We will allege that while in the apartment, this group of young men violently and viciously assaulted the victim,” he said.

“We’ll allege the incident was a cowardly attack by a group upon a young, defenceless man.”

Superintendent Fleming said the males, of African descent, were at the apartment for a few minutes before fleeing. He would not say whether weapons were used.

“Those that remained in the apartment provided care to the young man before police and paramedics attended,” he said.

“In terms of the victim, it needs to be remembered that a young man, through no fault of his own, lies in an ICU in a critical condition. Family and friends are traumatised and this is a life-changing event for his family.”

Superintendent Fleming said a crime scene was declared at the complex and more than 60 detectives and tactical crime squad officers raided 10 locations across Brisbane on Wednesday.

“We have seized at least one vehicle, and another one I expect will shortly be taken into our custody. Both will be forensically examined.”

He said the 19-year-old and eight youths were at the Brisbane City Watchhouse and police would oppose bail for them.

Superintendent Fleming said a motive was still being determined but detectives suspected it might have been “potential retaliation between two groups”.

He said the incident was not random and the males were not involved in any previous gang-related attacks.

“It’s evident there have been changes in the behaviour of some of these young people, with behaviour escalating in terms of these groups. Some of the young people involved label themselves as members of a gang,” Superintendent Fleming said.

He said police were searching for two other people involved.

The 10 teenagers will appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court and Children’s Court on Thursday.

Police were preparing to intervene after cross-cultural liaison officers were told of a possible retaliation, he said.