Father, son stabbed to death as group brawl takes over Clyde North birthday party

A keen footballer allegedly stabbed to death alongside his dad in a violent brawl outside a kid’s birthday party in Clyde North has been remembered as a “truly wonderful man”.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains images and names of people who have died.

A young man stabbed to death alongside his father in a violent brawl at a child’s birthday party in Melbourne’s southeast was a keen footballer and a “truly wonderful man”.

23-year-old Karl Gruber-Terrick and his father, also named Karl, were killed when a fight broke out at a home in Clyde North on Thursday night.

Homicide detectives say about 20 people had gathered at the toddler’s birthday celebrations before Mr Gruber-Terrick and his 54-year-old father were stabbed and killed at the scene.

Karl Gruber-Terrick, 23, was allegedly stabbed to death after a brawl broke out outside a child’s party in Clyde North. Picture: Supplied

Karl Gruber Snr died alongside his son following the brawl at Clyde North. Picture: Facebook

The junior Mr Gruber-Terrick was an active member of the Fitzroy Stars Football Club and is understood to have played for the Palmerston Magpies Football Club in Darwin in the past.

“We are grieving to (sic) the sudden loss of one of our much loved playing members who was a true gentleman at our club, wore his heart on his sleeve and let his footy do the talking,” the club said online.

“We also send our condolences to his teammates and all those close to Karl.”

Loved one James O’Dwyer said Karl had a passion for music and was someone he looked up to.

“I will never forget our memories together that we shared and that we were so close to each other we became inseparable,” he said.

“You were my brother, my rock and someone I could always rely on. I will miss you Karl, and I pray that I will see you again in heaven. I love you with all my heart.

“I will always remember just how happy you were when you found out I wrote a song for you and how you could never let us be together and not listen to it.”

Karl Gruber-Terrick was a keen footballer. Picture: Facebook

He was an active member of the Fitzroy Stars Football Club. Picture: Supplied

Relative Tyson Terrick said Karl was “like a big brother” to him.

“Didn’t think this day would come,” he said.

Dozens of Mr Gruber-Terrick’s friends and teammates were left gutted by news of his death on Friday.

“Heart of gold. You will never be forgotten,” one friend posted online.

Another said: “A great bloke on and off the field.”

“I will forever miss you Karlos! You were an amazing partner, protector and pal,” said another friend.

“Always (looked) after me when I needed ya (sic).”

Another relative said Karl was a “loyal cousin and brother”.

“We are all heartbroken from the news of you, Karl: you were a deadly young fulla, loved by all of us, and were a loyal cousin and brother. You will be immensely missed,” an online tribute read.

About 20 people were involved in the wild brawl. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Police investigate the area around Observatory St at Clyde North on Friday. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Police were called to Observatory St around 9.30pm on Thursday following reports of an altercation at the house which quickly spilt out to the street.

Detective Superintendent Janet Stevenson said on Friday morning the deaths were a “tragic” incident, and that witnesses who attended the gathering needed to come forward.

“At some stage during that brawl, two men have been stabbed and they’ve both died at the scene. It’s tragic. You could just imagine how that family feels. It should have been a great celebration, but it’s just a dreadful ending,” she said.

“We really need to speak to those people so we can piece together exactly what happened here.”

Police want to speak to people who attended the party. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Police are searching for the attacker. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Sanjeeta Sharma, who lives on Observatory St, said she was walking through the neighbourhood with her husband when she heard people swearing and shouting.

She initially thought young people were “partying”, but when she turned onto their street she saw two people on nature strips on opposite sides of the road, one face down and one in a crouched position.

“There was some blood or something … I could not really see, but there was something on the street,” Ms Sharma said.

“There were people standing and shouting.

As they walked past the scene to return to their home, the pair saw two girls trying to assist the dying men, while a third man went back into the house.

“It’s a very quiet street and there’s nothing really that happens and I feel quite safe living here … I feel really insecure now going out.

“It’s so sad to see young people ending their life like that.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident, with dashcam/CCTV footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

Originally published as Father, son stabbed to death as group brawl takes over Clyde North birthday party