Blacktown stabbing: Panashe Karise charged with affray

A Parramatta real estate worker has been charged in connection to the wild Blacktown brawl which left one local boy dead and two others fighting for life.

Parramatta real estate worker Panashe Karise has faced court in connection with the wild brawl which left one teen dead and another two fighting for life.

The 21-year-old appeared before Blacktown Court on Friday morning charged with affray, driving a vehicle while suspended and non compliance with Covid-19 restrictions after he was arrested in the aftermath of the brawl.

Paul McGirr, representing Karise, conceded the charges were “extremely serious” but said his client’s exact involvement “could not be determined at the current time” apart from the fact that he was indeed at the location of the incident. 

Panashe Karise pictured back in 2019

He described the evidence against his client as “circumstantial”.

“He told police he was involved in a brawl with people he doesn’t know,” Mr McGirr said. “They can’t ascertain what my client was doing.” 

He said the statement Karise provided police was that “he was injured and attacked as he fled the location”.

He additionally told the court that Karise works in real estate in Parramatta and was in the area on Wednesday night to watch drag racing.

The police prosecutor told the court that “the prosecution case is strong.”

He said four males, one of which was Karise, turned up to an address at William St, and were involved in an altercation that led to the death of a 17 year old boy.

The prosecutor told the court Karise’s vehicle was found at the property.

He added that a subsequent search of the property led to the discovery of knives and golf clubs.

Supplied Editorial Polair footage shows moment cops swooped on Blacktown stabbing suspects

He told the court the attack “had been planned” and that they “turned up for violence”.

He said: “You don’t turn up with weapons (and from) out of the area to make cookies. They were not there to make friends. They went there to cause serious violence.”

He also told the court Karise was under court orders for unrelated charges at the time.

Magistrate Brian van Zuylen read the police fact sheet noting that there were “a number of significant stab wounds to the deceased with others treated for wounds to their body and taken to Westmead for treatment.”

Releasing him on bail, he said: “He gave an unconvincing reason to why he was there but he doesn’t incriminate himself to police and he is only currently charged with affray.” 

He is due back in court later this month.

It comes as a fundrasier has been announced for the 17-year-old who died.

A page has been set up raising money for his funeral and to help “get his family back on their feet”.

Police announced on Friday morning that five men, one of which is Karise, had been charged.

As well as Karise, three 17-year-olds were also charged with affray and noncompliance with Covid-19 restrictions.

Numerous officers were involved in the investigation on Thursday. Picture: Jeremy Piper

One was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Children’s Court. No application for bail was made and Magistrate Michael Crompton formally refused it.

His matter is due to return on September 13 when a bail application is expected to be made.

The other two boys were granted conditional bail and their matters are expected to return to a children’s court on September 14 and October 22.

The fourth 17-year-old was charged with breach of bail and he appeared via video at Parramatta Children’s Court on Friday.

His bail application was refused and the matter is due to return to court on September 24.

Police and forensic teams search the streets. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Emergency services rushed to the intersection of Suffolk and William St at Blacktown following reports multiple people had been involved in an alleged brawl about 10pm on Wednesday.

Police believe there were around a dozen young people involved, some as young as 14.

Arrests were made with the assistance of the police helicopter after NSW Police released dramatic Polair footage on Thursday evening.

Emergency services rushed to the intersection of Suffolk and William St at Blacktown following reports multiple people had been involved in an alleged brawl about 10pm Wednesday. Picture: Jeremy Piper

A number of those involved were injured including two boys – both aged 15 – who were taken to The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.

Yesterday both were fighting for their lives.

One remains in a critical condition with the other now in a serious condition.