Police investigate death of teen at party advertised on Facebook
Police will consider the possibility teenage jealousy triggered an alleged violent attack that left a boy dead after a Manoora New Year’s Eve party was advertised on social media.
Cairns
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UPDATE 5pm: Police will consider the possibility teenage jealousy triggered an alleged violent attack that left a boy dead after a Manoora birthday on New Year’s Eve was advertised on social media.
Far North detectives are investigating the alleged stabbing death of a 17-year-old boy after a party on Lychee Close on Friday night ended in wild brawl involving up to 30 people.
A second 17-year-old Mooroobool boy also presented at the Cairns Hospital after suffering bottle stab wounds to the shoulder and kidney area.
Acting Inspector Gary Hunter said the “fluid” investigation had taken begun to take witness statements, including from the surviving stab victim who is co-operating with police.
“Police are conducting investigations to establish the cause of this disturbance and will also try and establish who’s responsible,” he said.
“Unfortunately, we have a young person who will not see 2022 out and we also have a grieving family as well.
“It’s definitely concerning for us. The first day of the year 2022 we have a young life being taken in very tragic circumstances.”
Acting Insp Hunter said police arrested three males aged 17, 18 and 28 who were charged with obstructing police.
They were not residents of Lychee Close and the laying of potential murder charges was some way off.
“We’re too far away to really determine what charge is going to be deferred at this stage,” he said.
“I would say (the males charged) are not (murder) suspects at this current time.
“But, it’s very fluid investigation and we are definitely trying to help the family and trying to ensure that we are conducting a complete and thorough investigation.
“We are still establishing the cause of the actual disturbance.”
The boy and two men are due to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on January 18.
Police are appealing for anyone with information to contact them.
Quote this reference number when providing information. QP2200001563.
UPDATE: Witnesses to a fatal stabbing on New Year’s Eve have described how celebrations turned ugly on Friday night after a teen birthday party got out of hand and turned into an all-in brawl.
Police were called to Lychee Close in Manoora just before 1am following triple-0 calls about a street disturbance involving a number of people.
A 17-year-old Mooroobool boy died in Cairns Hospital after being transported in a private car that left the street before paramedics arrived.
Sister of the boy hosting the party, Marley Stone, speaking from the scene of the stabbings, said she was shocked about how the night unfolded.
“You don’t expect any of that to happen around here because it’s very quiet street,” she said.
“(But last night) people were all up and down here and from Murray St and the house on the corner.
“These houses were all piling up, like there were people everywhere.
“There was a pretty big mob of people here.”
Police arrested three males following investigations into the street disturbance. All three, aged 17, 18 and 28 were charged with obstructing police.
Lychee Close resident two doors down from the house hoisting the party, Davina Tamati said the whole street was enjoying bringing in the New Year when things quickly escalated.
“It’s common to have parties, they happen all the time like at Christmas and Easter but this time it got out of hand,” she said.
“Usually everyone has fun and then goes home.”
Ms Tamati said she was “worried” as the street erupted in violence and watched on as the injured boys were bundled into cars before heading to hospital.
“The ones who got stabbed left before the ambulance came and I had to explain to (paramedics) that everyone has left already.”
Queensland police stated a second 17-year-old Mooroobool boy also presented at the Cairns Hospital for treatment to stab wounds.
INITIAL STORY: Far North District detectives investigating the death of a 17-year-old boy at Manoora early on New Year’s Day are treating the death as suspicious.
Police were called to Lychee Close just before 1am following triple-0 calls about a street disturbance involving a number of people.
A17-year-old Mooroobool boy died in Cairns Hospital after being transported in a private vehicle prior to police arrival.
A second 17-year-old Mooroobool boy also presented at the Cairns Hospital for treatment to non-life-threatening injuries.
Both boys had sustained stab wounds.
Police declared a crime scene in Lychee Close and investigations are continuing.
Preliminary investigations indicate the boys had been attending a birthday party at a Lychee Close address prior to the street disturbance.
Police are appealing for anyone with information to contact them.
Police arrested three males following investigations into the street disturbance.
All three, aged 17, 18 and 28 were charged with obstructing police.
The 18-year-old and the 28-year-old, both from Manoora, are due to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on January 18.
The younger man was also charged with serious assault police after allegedly punching an officer and the older man also charged with contravening a direction.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at the police reporting website or call 131 444.
Quote this reference number: QP2200001563.
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Originally published as Police investigate death of teen at party advertised on Facebook
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