Who’s who in Melbourne’s violent youth gang scene

In the wake of the alleged murder of a 15-year-old boy outside a church in Melbourne’s west, police are set to clamp down on the city’s violent youth gangs. At least 10 rival gangs use social media to taunt each other, organise street fights and recruit new members.

Police are set to ramp up their fight against violent youth gangs after a teenage boy was stabbed to death outside a church in Melbourne’s west.

The Herald Sun can reveal tensions were brewing between rival Islander gangs “BH” Brotherhood and 97 in the days leading up to the alleged murder of Solomone Taufeulungaki, 15.

He was killed in an alleged gang attack outside the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Deer Park after leaving school on Tuesday.

There are fears the gangs are arranging a fight in the suburb for Friday night following the fatal stabbing.

Police are now considering launching an operation in response to a string of violent gang attacks.

Solomone Taufeulungaki died after a stabbing in Deer Park on Tuesday night.

The move would allow suburbs to be declared a “designated area”, giving officers more powers to conduct weapons searches.

This would mean people could randomly be stopped and searched for weapons in the designated area.

It comes after another fatal gang attack nearby last December.

Aguer Akech, 17, died in Regan St, St Albans, following a brawl at nearby Keilor Plains station in the early hours of December 22 last year.

In that case, a 15-year-old accused of murdering the teen had been arrested and released nine times in the months prior to the attack.

It can be revealed the “BH” Brotherhood and 97 gangs, which both have dozens of members from Melbourne’s north and west, were believed to be fighting and taunting each other on social media in the weeks leading up to Solomone’s death on Tuesday night.

Aguer Akech Lual, 17, died from injuries he suffered during a fight in St Albans.

Gang members also use social media to brag about their weapons and post photos waving guns and knives.

The Herald Sun has identified at least 10 rival gangs who use social media, including Instagram and Snapchat, to organise street fights, post videos of the violence and recruit.

In the past year, criminal youths have also been linked to liquor shop thefts and snatch-and-grab robberies at popular electronics stores.

Gang members also use social media to brag about their weapons and post photos waving guns and knives.

One mother, who asked not to be named, said her son had seen Snapchat and Instagram messages from the rival gangs planning fights and taunting each other in recent weeks.

“They always organise fights through social media, these gangs fight to claim their territory, but it’s so stupid because it’s over petty stuff,” the mother said.

“I have now seen Snapchat messages that show a fight will be organised in retaliation at Deer Park on Friday night, it just needs to stop.”

In a recent Instagram post, the two gangs were believed to be running amok at Brimbank Shopping Centre just weeks earlier on June 2, with members from 97 posting photos of police chasing them, with one of the gang members writing: “running from the boys in blue”.

Police at the scene of the fatal stabbing in Deer Park. Picture: AAP

In another post, dozens of 97 members — some with their faces covered — are seen posing doing the “Westside” sign.

In a post by a “BH” Brotherhood’s member on Instagram, there are several videos and photos of brawls in Melbourne’s west and southeast between rival gangs.

In one of the photos, the gang member is seen standing in front of a police car with his middle finger up, with the caption: “F--- the police”.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said police understood the fatal attack in Deer Park may cause concern to the public.

“We want to assure everyone that we are doing everything we can to ensure the safety of residents across the City of Brimbank and the City of Melton,” she said.

“Police are engaging with friends, families, schools and community leaders who are known to the young people involved to alleviate tensions and ensure they’re aware of the behaviour and the risks involved with any further violence.

“Over the next couple of days, frontline police will be proactively patrolling shopping centres and community locations to ensure people feel safe, and are safe. Police will be supported by Public Order Response Team, Mounted Branch, Transit police and PSOs.”

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