Teenager fatally stabbed at Royal Easter Show may be victim of ‘postcode war’

Ride attendant Uati “Pele” Faletolu, 17, is being remembered as a “nice guy” after his stabbing death at the Easter Show as police probe a possible gang link.

Police are investigating whether the fatal stabbing of a teenage carnival worker at the Royal Easter Show is linked to ongoing violence between rival postcode gangs from Western Sydney.

Detectives from the Homicide Squad and Auburn police command, who have formed Strike Force Calle, are looking at whether the deadly brawl on Monday evening was linked to a stabbing in Western Sydney last week.

17-year-old Uati “Pele” Faletolu, who was stabbed to death at the Easter Show, was from Doonside, postcode 2767, and his friends have told police they believe the alleged attackers were from the Mt Druitt area – postcode 2770.

Police are investigating reports the victim was linked to the 67 street gang which has clashed recently with the Ready For Anything group from Mt Druitt.

17-year-old Pele Faletolu is understood to have been working as an attendant on the Break Dance ride just hours before he was attacked.

The teenager was on a break from working on the Break-Dance ride about 8pm on Monday when tensions between two groups escalated and the fight broke out. He was knifed in the chest and died on his way to hospital despite paramedics working to save his life.

A 15-year-old was arrested at the scene and appeared at Parramatta Children's Court on Tuesday charged with affray, armed with intent to commit indictable offence and custody of a knife in a public place.

The 15-year-old has not been charged in connection with Faletolu’s death and police are still working to track down those responsible.

A 16-year-old who suffered stab wounds to the leg ­remains in a stable condition.

Paramedics performed CPR but were unable to save the teenager, who died en route to hospital.

Parts of the Easter Show carnival and rides section were closed as police and forensics continue to investigate the scene of the stabbing. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

Detectives have been questioning friends of the victim to establish if the brawl was planned or whether it was a spontaneous fight.

The postcode wars are heavily influenced by violent US rap culture and involve young people using social media to rep their local suburbs and becoming mortal enemies.

Commander of the Auburn Police Area Command, Superintendent Danielle Emerton, said police believed it was “not a random attack”.

“There were two groups involved in the affray incident where there was a knife involved, so we are looking at additional people that were involved in (Monday) night’s attack,” she said.

A 15-year-old charged in connection with the deadly brawl leaving Auburn Police Station. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Supt Emerton said it was possible it was motivated by, or linked to, conflict within postcode gangs, or an internal dispute between groups.

“We believe there were two groups of men that met each other at the show and they had a confrontation,” she said.

The stabbing happened in the main carnival area which transforms as dusk settles in, attracting teens and young people who like to stay out late. It is only steps away from the bustling showbag dome usually filled with hundreds of kids and families.

Three years ago police launched Strike Force Imbala, a specialised squad to target the violent postcode turf war on the streets between gangs blindly loyal to their postcodes. Last year a 16-year-old boy was allegedly beaten to death in a Doonside home in an escalation of the wars.

‘SUCH A NICE GUY’: TRIBUTES FOR SLAIN TEEN

Uati “Pele” Faletolu had worked as a “carni’’ at The Royal Easter Show the past two years.

The 17-year-old met up with his younger brother during a break from his job as a ride attendant.

Faletolu appeared to enjoy his job at the Show, posting about it on social media.

It was a job he obviously loved, posting just prior to his death: “When you wish ur gf worked at the Easter Show again with u,” he posted.

Photos of him and his girlfriend on social media show a loving young couple who were in a steady relationship with the teenager referring to her often, particularly on TikTok.

He was also an athlete who played junior rugby league for the Doonside Roos in the competition in Sydney Western suburbs.

The football club turned its Facebook profile site black in honour of their teammate taken so tragically.

Friends and even strangers began to pour out emotional tributes about this death.

“He was such a nice guy,” one person wrote.

“I just got chills because he helped me on that ride an hour before, gone too soon. May he Rest in Peace.”

He was described as a “great guy" and a wonderful friend.

‘Was a blessing working with you at the show,’ one friend said.

“He had his whole life ahead of him. this should never have happened,’’ was another remark.

Additional reporting Dana Pendrick and James O’Doherty