Canberra murder: teen charged over stabbing at Weston Creek skate park
Police allege an online dispute between teenagers culminated in a fatal stabbing at a skate park in Canberra’s southern suburbs
Canberra Star
Don't miss out on the headlines from Canberra Star. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- University dorm sex intruder jailed of meth-fuelled crime spree
- Bungendore man Brady Sheather cleared of killing his father
- Prison inmate admits he had drugs stashed in his jocks
Canberra police have charged a 16-year-old boy with murder, a month on from the fatal stabbing of an 18-year old at the Weston Creek skate park.
The boy appeared briefly in the ACT Children's Court on Wednesday, where he did not apply for bail, which Magistrate Robert Cook formally refused.
He appeared by video link from the Bimberi Youth Justice Centre in Canberra’s northern suburbs.
The identities of Children’s Court defendants cannot be published.
In a statement, ACT Policing said they will allege the 16-year-old repeatedly stabbed his alleged victim after an online dispute escalated.
“Police will allege … numerous young people made threats to each other online which escalated to a point that they agreed to meet to fight,” the statement said.
Detective Superintendent Scott Moller said: “There’s a family deeply grieving the loss of their son and because we must seek justice, another family is potentially facing lifelong consequences for what happened that night.
“This has been a tough investigation for detectives, it’s always very sad when young people are involved in serious crime.”
Supt Moller said the alleged murder should serve as a wake up call about the potential for online disputes to intensify.
“Cyber abuse and cyber-bullying can quickly intensify in scale and nature, and feel deeply personal,” Detective Superintendent Moller said.
“It can be hard but try not to respond or retaliate. If possible switch off your phone for a while and seek help.
“Before you block or delete the person and comments, make sure you save the evidence of what has occurred. This can help a police investigation if it’s needed.
He said police were willing to intervene in alleged online bullying or threats.
“It may not seem like it at the time but I promise you, you won’t regret asking for help if you’re being abused or bullied online – it could save your life,” he said.
Investigations into the alleged murder involved a search of storm drains and scrub land in suburbs surrounding the skate park.
Detectives still want to speak with anyone who was involved in the fight, or who knows anything the lead up to it.