Zillmere ambush death: Charges dropped against 13th person over death of Girum Mekonnen

The 13th person charged over a fatal ambush that saw a teenager killed in a park in Brisbane’s north has had his charges, including murder, dropped.

Girum Mekonnen was killed in Zillmere’s O’Callaghan Park on September 13, 2020. Picture: Facebook

The 13th person charged over a fatal ambush that saw a teenager killed in Brisbane’s north has had all of his charges, including murder, dropped.

Anas Ayman Abdu Musa was the last person to be dealt with over the death of Girum Mekonnen in Zillmere’s O’Callaghan Park on September 13, 2020.

On Tuesday in Brisbane’s Supreme Court prosecutors discontinued proceedings against him entering a nolle prosequi on the indictment.

Justice Lincoln Crowley discharged Mr Musa of all charges.

Mr Musa, who was not in court, was represented by his lawyer Andrew Owens, of Owens & Associates.

“He’s very relieved,” Mr Owens said outside court.

“He’s happy the matter has been resolved.”

It follows the imprisonment of 10 men last month for the murder of Mr Mekonnen who was fatally stabbed as the court heard the vicious pack descended on the park in a revenge attack sparked by the beating of a brother of some of the offenders days before.

Mr Mekonnen was not involved in the attack on the brother but wound up dead in the subsequent ambush.

Justice Crowley sentenced the following men to life imprisonment for his murder: Alex Edward Deng, 22, Joseph Lokolong, 28, Ben Abio, 23, Majok Riel Majok, 23, Juma Makuol Deng Makuol, 28, Chan Kuchmol Kon, 28, Kresto Wal Wal, 29, Abraham Ajang Yaak, 30, Gabreal Wal Wal, 31, and Santo Wal, 36,

Those men were tried together in a trial before Justice Crowley in December 2024.

Mr Musa was never placed on trial.

A spokesperson for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions said the following when asked why the charges were dropped:

“Taking into account various witnesses at trial and the admissible evidence, a determination was made that we could not identify him as part of the group and did not enjoy reasonable prospects of securing a conviction.”

Originally published as Zillmere ambush death: Charges dropped against 13th person over death of Girum Mekonnen