Teenagers in court charged with murder after street brawl
Alex Ioane was defenceless when he was fly-kicked in the head and then stomped on and beaten with baseball bats as he lay unconscious after a fight broke out at a 16th birthday party, police will allege.
NSW
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A defenceless teenager was fly-kicked in the head, stomped on and beaten with baseball bats while unconscious after a fight broke out at a 16th birthday party, police will allege.
On Monday, as the girlfriend of tragic teen Alex Ioane, 18, paid tribute to “the hardworking, family-oriented man”, the two youngsters accused of murdering him at the Ingleburn party were formally charged in court.
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Tafuna Taumalolo, 18, and an unnamed 17-year-old were arrested on Sunday night in Eagle Vale.
Taumalolo chose not to appear or apply for bail when his case was mentioned at Campbelltown Local Court.
The 17-year-old, who cannot be identified because of his age, was also formally charged with murder at Campbelltown Children’s Court and did not apply for bail.
Mr Ioane’s girlfriend of two years, Lyn Lavea, said: “I’ve never met a guy with a bigger heart than Alex.
“His love towards his family and friends and myself will never go unnoticed. Alex Ioane is the strongest man I know. He is my soldier and I will carry that man within my heart until my casket drops.
“No one could ever compare.”
Mr Ioane was standing outside the increasingly out-of-control party at an Airbnb property on Chester Rd at about 9.30pm when Taumalolo allegedly came up behind him. He allegedly karate kicked Mr Ioane in the back of the head.
“Thereafter police will allege that the 18-year-old man stomped on the unconscious male,” Assistant Commissioner Peter Thurtell said on Monday.
“The young man was kicked in the head, he fell straight to the ground and did not move again.”
A guest inside the home called emergency services but, by the time paramedics arrived, Mr Ioane had serious head injuries.
He died at the scene.
“It was a senseless loss of life,” Mr Thurtell said.
One girl, who asked to remain anonymous, said the property had been booked by an adult for a 16-year-old’s birthday celebration and the event was being supervised by adults.
When fights began to break out the adults, believed to be two aunties, started telling people to leave.
Police said they found several weapons at the scene.
The owner of the property, who did not want to be named, said that she had “no idea” a party was going to be held at the house.
“We have clear house rules there is no party allowed at this house,” she said.
It is understood she only found out when two other men, who had rented separate rooms in the house, called her on Friday night to say there were around 100 people at the property.
She said she was now trying to get compensation through Airbnb to repair damage to the house.
Mr Ioane’s family members stayed silent on Monday as they came and went from their Leumeah home.
In an emotional social media post, Ms Lavea’s sister Floria said: “I got to the scene with my partner, only to see my sister held back from the cops not letting her even be near Alex, so instead she runs to me, telling to me ‘say everything will be OK’,” she posted on Facebook.
Friends said Mr Ioane was a talented singer and dancer who worked at a factory and helped support his family.
He graduated from Liverpool Boys High School last year, and yesterday students stood for a moment of silence to remember him. Mr Ioane’s old principal at the school, Mike Saxon, said the 18-year-old was “well-liked by his peers and staff”.
Another person who allegedly attended the party has already faced police charges at Parramatta Bail Court on Sunday.
Isoa Rabuatoka, 19, is accused of breaking into a nearby unit after allegedly fleeing from police. There is no suggestion Rabuatoka was involved in the attack and his charge relates only to the break-and-enter of a unit during the party.
GATECRASH SURVIVOR LIAM KNIGHT URGES PARENTS TO ACT
A northern beaches man who was severely injured when a party gatecrasher hurled a metal pole that pierced his skull says it is up to parents to make sure their teenagers are not violently lashing out.
Liam Knight was only 17 when, in January 2013, he attended an 18th birthday party in Forestville. The night descended into chaos when a 16-year-old gatecrasher and others began throwing debris through the air. Mr Knight was speared in the head.
The 16-year-old was convicted of throwing the metal pole and sentenced to eight years’ jail in 2014.
Speaking on Monday, Mr Knight said the fatal incident in Ingleburn was tragic.
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“What happened is terrible and I feel for everyone involved,” he said.
Mr Knight said hiring security and ensuring parties aren’t advertised on social media were precautions that should be taken to try to protect young partygoers.
But he said there was no quick-fix solution to stamping out violence at parties.
“Really it is about young people being brought up not to hurt each other. Let people enjoy themselves without fighting,’’ Mr Knight, who is now 23, said.
And he said teenage parties were especially dangerous when there were no adults present. “Having these type of unsupervised parties makes the risk of fights and problems higher,” he said.
Mr Knight’s story made national headlines after he survived the horrific attack and managed to return to school to complete his HSC.
Mr Knight and his family started the White Knight foundation, which provides support for victims of youth violence and also raises money for specialist medical equipment.
— Mark Morri
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