Blacktown stabbing: Gangs trade barbs on Instagram
The stabbing death of a teenager in Blacktown this week has exposed the ugly brutality and blind rage associated with western Sydney’s gangs.
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The brutality and hate-filled rage of the western Sydney gang scene has been laid bare following the death of a 17-year-old this week.
The youth died after a stabbing attack in Blacktown on Wednesday night. Another teenager remains fighting for his life in hospital with several other youths injured.
Five individuals have been charged including Panashe Karise who appeared before Blacktown Court on Friday on a charge of affray.
While there were the usual tributes online following the teen’s death, there was also an outpouring of hatred – mostly on his own Instagram page.
It appears Instagram is fast becoming the social media network of choice for gangs and rivals to trade their barbs.
Among the comments published on his Instagram page include many that mock the youth’s death.
Others call him a “gronk” and a “dog” and there are many messages gloating with the use of laughing and happy emojis.
There are even heated exchanges between Instagram users.
Some make references to past killings while others make threats of future violence.
Many of the comments refer to the numbers 21 and 27 which are understood to be references to postcode area based gangs.
Many users with 27 in their username paid tribute to the teen while others with 21 mocked his death.
The number 21 is thought to refer to ‘21 District’ which is a gang comprised of individuals from postcodes that start with 21 such as Merrylands and Blacktown.
The number 27 is understood to be a reference to KL 27 (Killara Legion 27), with 27 referring to the start of postcodes beginning with 27 such as Mount Druitt and Doonside.
NSW Police has said from the outset of the investigation that gangland feuds were a line of inquiry.
This was further reinforced on Friday with a police spokesman stating that inquiries are continuing down the path of it “potentially being gang related.”
The 17-year-old’s death comes just weeks after a 16-year-old was killed in Doonside.
The investigation into his death continues with gang feuds again thought to be part of the police probe.
Of this week’s killing, police were called to the scene of the brawl, at the intersection of Suffolk and William St, Blacktown, at around 10pm on Wednesday.
Officers on foot, police dogs and the police helicopter were deployed and a number of arrests were made.
The 17-year-old was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics. However, he died at the scene. Two other boys, aged 15, were also treated at the scene before being taken to the Children’s Hospital at Westmead Hospital.
One remains in a critical condition and the other in a serious condition.
Police said it is believed there are around a dozen youths involved, some as young as 14.
Five people have been charged so far or which three appeared in court on Friday.
They included Paramatta real estate worker Panashe Karise, 21, who was charged with affray.
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.
He was released on bail from Blacktown Court.
Three of the 17-year-olds were charged with affray and not complying with Covid directions.
One was refused bail in Parramatta Children’s Court today. 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 investigations are continuing.
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