Kyzer Xion Priestley charged with alleged stabbing in Tewantin

Emergency crews were called to Tewantin following reports a homeless man had been allegedly attacked at random by a man and a teen carrying a box cutter.

A Tewantin man and a teenager have both been charged with allegedly stabbing a homeless man with a box cutter during a random attack.

Police will allege a 35-year-old homeless man and a woman had arrived at the carpark of the Royal Mail Hotel on Poinciana St, Tewantin when another car pulled up at 10.50pm on March 15.

Sunshine Coast District Criminal Investigation Bureau officer-in-charge Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Mansfield said a 20-year-old man and a 15-year-old boy allegedly attacked the homeless man with a box cutter, cutting him on the right shoulder and back.

The 20-year-old has been identified as Kyzer Xion Priestley from Tewantin, but the 15-year-old cannot be named.

“(The homeless man) was able to escape and fight those two males off,” Sergeant Mansfield said.

“He had a wine bottle in his hands and he was able to hit one of the attackers to give himself a bit of space and distance to escape.

“Then he was able to position himself behind some bins to try to avoid getting stabbed further. He’s very lucky.”

Sunshine Coast District Criminal Investigation Bureau officer-in-charge Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Mansfield. Picture: Aisling Brennan

The man was taken to Sunshine Coast University Hospital in a serious but stable condition.

Sergeant Mansfield said police spotted the alleged offenders in a vehicle being driven nearby in McKinnon Dr, Tewantin, on their way to the scene.

“Police drove past the vehicle which was alleged to be used in the offence, they tried to engage the vehicle but it sped off at high speed and drove dangerously, so that pursuit was abandoned according to our policies and procedures,” he said.

“Further investigation led to where that vehicle ended up (at a Werin Street address), so fortunately we were able to locate the vehicle and the (alleged) offenders.

“When police approached that vehicle, the occupants tried to make their escape and it will be alleged they put on a bit of violent struggle with police when they tried to intercept the vehicle.

“One of those occupants had to be pepper sprayed and also tasered to effect the arrest. No police or the offenders were injured.”

Police will allege the attack was “completely random”.

“It appears they’ve just happened upon this homeless person and for whatever reason they’ve just attacked him,” Sergeant Mansfield said.

“One would suggest it was random attack.”

Police allege the attack occurred in the carpark of The Royal Mail Hotel, Tewantin.

Sergeant Mansfield said the homeless community shouldn’t be alarmed by the recent alleged attacked.

“We’re concerned about (knife crime) and we do everything in our power to prevent those things but unfortunately it’s just one of those things where people are motivated to do what they do and unfortunately and there’s victims getting tied up in this,” he said speaking generally.

Mr Priestly, 20, has been charged with 19 offences some of which include wounding, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, evade police, stealing, receiving tainted property and obstruct police.

He was denied police bail and appeared in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court today.

Mr Priestly is yet to enter pleas to the charges and will remain in custody on remand until he appears again on May 20, 2022.

Meanwhile, the 15-year-old Tewantin boy, also arrested at the Werin Street address, has been charged with wounding, stealing and obstruct police. He was denied police bail and is due to appear before the Maroochydore Children’s Court.

The pair are known to each other but police allege they did not know the victim.