Panashe Karise: Charged with murder of teenager at Blacktown brawl

A man has been charged with murder of a teenage boy who was allegedly stabbed during a brawl involving youths allegedly wielding machetes and “zombie knives”.

A fifth person has been charged with the murder of a teenager following a wild brawl in western Sydney which allegedly involved youths with machetes and “zombie knives”.

Panashe Karise, 22, was arrested at Blacktown police station on Wednesday morning where he was later charged.

Panashe Karise in 2019.

The Harrington Park man had been charged previously with affray for his alleged role in the brawl near William St, Blacktown on September 1 last year, which ultimately led to the death of a 17-year-old boy.

Karise has been charged with the fresh offences of murder, two counts of wounding with intent to murder and three counts of assault person intend criminal activity of criminal group.

The brawl saw emergency services treat seven people for stab wounds and despite CPR being performed, a teenage boy died at the scene.

Police and forensic teams at the crime scene of a fatal stabbing in Blacktown. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

Three teenage boys – two aged 13 and one aged 15 – were taken to The Children’s Hospital at Westmead with two in critical condition and one in a serious condition. Two other 17-year-old boys, and a 20-year-old male were also taken to Blacktown Hospital for treatment.

A crime scene was established with a ‘Zombie’ knife, machete, kitchen knives and golf clubs seized for forensic examination.

Karise is the fifth person to be charged with murder in relation to the death, with three teenagers and a 20-year-old man before the courts.

The 22-year-old did not appear by videolink when his murder charge was mentioned at Blacktown Local Court on Thursday and did not apply for bail.

The matter is set to return to the same court in April.