FULL LIST OF NAMES: 10 charged over gang murder in Zillmere
Multiple people have been arrested in connection with a fatal stabbing in a Brisbane park, after full details of the 10 men charged with murder were revealed in court.
Police & Courts
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Multiple people have been taken into police custody this afternoon to assist investigators with the ongoing Zillmere homicide investigation.
The fresh arrests come as the 10 men charged with murder over the death of 19-year-old Girum Mekonnen were identified.
Mr Mekonnen died at the scene on Sunday evening, after he was allegedly stabbed to death by the group.
A large crowd gathered outside the Brisbane Magistrates Court this morning as more details on the 10 men charged over the fatal brawl at Zillmere on Sunday night, and the alleged incident itself, came to light.
Supporters and family gathered outside with COVID-19 restrictions meaning only 18 people were allowed in the public gallery of the court.
SCROLL DOWN FOR THE FULL LIST OF NAMES AND CHARGES
Tensions were running high outside the courthouse with a clear divide between those gathered.
A group of women have been seen loudly arguing with one another.
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Former Kedron State High School student Girum Mekonnen, 19, died at O’Callaghan Park on Sunday night after he was allegedly set upon and stabbed by a group of youths armed with bats and knives.
Police allege the men involved in the fatal group attack at Zillmere used “bats and edged blades” to inflict carnage on 13 people including 19-year-oldGirum Gebayaw Mekonnen, who later died.
The men are charged with acts intending to cause grievous bodily harm to 12 people and with the murder of Mr Mekonnen.
Under Queensland law, those charged with murder cannot apply for bail in the magistrates court jurisdiction. They can only apply for bail in the Supreme Court.
The men who have so far been charged over the incident can be identified as Kresto Wal Wal, Yohana Wal Wal, Gabreal Wal Wal, Santo Wal, Majok Riel Majok, Anas Ayman Abdu Musa, Alex Edward Deng, Joseph Lokolong, Chan Kon and Juma Makuol Deng Makuol.
The accused men are aged between 18 and 32 and include a sprinkler fitter and an Aurizon employee.
The majority are understood to have been born overseas in countries including Egypt and Sudan.
Until Wednesday’s arrests, they resided in a number of Brisbane suburbs including Redbank Plains, Bray Park, Collingwood Park and Goodna.
According to court documents, two of the men have also been charged with an offence of disobedience to lawful order issued by statutory authority.
Majok Riel Majok and Alex Edward Deng, both 18, have today each been hit with the fresh disobedience charge which is believed to relate to their alleged refusal to allow police access to digital devices such as phones.
It comes after the 10 men were yesterday arrested and charged with murder and varying counts of acts intending to cause grievous bodily harm.
Police allege the men used bats and edged blades to inflict the violence.
Defence lawyer Bruce Peters, who appeared for Joseph Lokolong said it was too early to say whether his client would be fighting the charge.
“We haven’t had the opportunity to get the proper instructions at this point in time and the brief of evidence… the investigation is still ongoing,” he said.
“We have 14 charges they range from murder to acts causing GBH to affray.
“Very serious charges obviously with murder being the most significant.”
Mr Peters said the violence alleged was “deplorable”.
“From what I’ve been told the gang violence at Zillmere was retaliation for something which occurred a few days ago at Redbank Plains where one man was attacked by the gang,” he said.
“It’s quite deplorable. It raises a lot of issues as far as, as I said earlier about Black Lives Matter … well obviously that message is not getting through to some people.”
Mr Peters also referred to the ‘defund the police’ movement in the United States.
“I am thankful that we have strong policing in Queensland to bring this matter to a quick head,” he said.
He also referred to recent refugee rights protests at Kangaroo Point.
“… and some of these people are refugees and some of these people are immigrants,” he said.
“Certainly coming to Australia it’s a fact that we want them to embrace what we have to offer here which is the Australian way of life.”
Defence lawyer Andrew Owens who represents Anas Ayman Abdu Musa said his client claimed he wasn’t even at the park during the attack and would be fighting the charges.
“He definitely will fight the charges,” Mr Owen said.
“He has done an interview with police indicating he wasn’t present at the time but obviously we’ll have to review that and see what comes.”
Mr Owen said Musa would likely apply for bail in the Supreme Court.
“I’ve spoken to his family and we intend to make an application in the coming weeks but I’m having a meeting with the family today and we’ll work out a date,” he said.
“He’s doing well, it’s obviously pretty overwhelming to be charged with murder in such a serious matter but he’s keeping his head up and we’ll go from there.
“He’s doing well considering the nature of the charges.”
All of the cases will be adjourned to the Brisbane Magistrates Court committal callover on November 16.
Prosecutors have consented to an order that they provide the brief of evidence to the defence lawyers representing the men by October 30.
All of the men will be remanded in custody until their next court mention.
FULL LIST OF NAMES AND CHARGES
Kresto Wal Wal, 24, Redbank Plains, born in Sudan
12 x acts intended to cause GBH
1 x affray
1 x murder
Yohana Wal Wal, 19, Redbank Plains, born in Egypt
12 x acts intended to cause GBH
1 x affray
1 x murder
Gabreal Wal Wal, 27, Redbank Plains, born in Khartoum, Sudan, employed by Aurizon
12 x acts intended to cause GBH
1 x affray
1 x murder
Santo Wal, 32, Redbank Plains, born in Khartoum, Sudan, works as a sprinkler fitter
11 x acts intended to cause GBH
1 x affray
1 x murder
Majok Riel Majok, 18, Redbank Plains, student
12 x acts intended to cause GBH
1 x affray
1 x murder
1 x disobedience to lawful order issued by statutory authority
Anas Ayman Abdu Musa, 21, Bray Park, born in Sudan
12 x acts intended to cause GBH
1 x affray
1 x murder
Alex Edward Deng, Collingwood Park, born in Egypt
12 x acts intended to cause GBH
1 x affray
1 x murder
1 x disobedience to lawful order issued by statutory authority
Joseph Lokolong, 24, Goodna
12 x acts intended to cause GBH
1 x affray
1 x murder
Juma Makuol Deng Makuol, 23, Redbank Plains
12 x acts intended to cause GBH
1 x affray
1 x murder
3 x failure to appear in accordance with undertaking
Chan Kon, 24, Redbank Plains
12 x acts intended to cause GBH
1 x affray
1 x murder
