International student in critical condition after violent Millner home invasion

The 23-year-old man allegedly ‘brutally assaulted’ as he slept will soon have family by his ICU bedside. Read how the Islamic and student communities have responded to the shocking attack.

The scene outside a home on Trower Rd, Millner where an international student was left to die after a home invasion. Picture: Bethany Griffiths

The Top End Islamic and student communities are rallying behind a young student who is fighting for life after a violent attack during a home invasion.

The international student from Bangladesh remains in a critical condition at Royal Darwin Hospital and not expected to survive his injuries following a violent home invasion in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The Bangladeshi Student Association of Charles Darwin University are planning a “demonstration against violence and support for our fellow student” on Thursday.

The event will be a “peaceful” protest to show support for the 23-year-old to be held at the Casuarina campus from 12.30pm.

“This incident has shaken our entire CDU and local Darwin community, and we refuse to stay silent in the face of such heinous acts.”

“Join us tomorrow in solidarity as we call for justice for the victim and demand stronger measures to ensure the safety of international students in our community,” the event states.

The Bangladeshi Student Association of Charles Darwin University are hosting a demonstration in support of their fellow student attacked in his home. Picture: Supplied

“As international students and student association members, we want the government to pay attention and take immediate action to address our safety concerns.”

The Islamic Society of Darwin also shared their support for the young man on social media.

“One of our brothers has been brutally assaulted by an intruder at his home in Millner this early morning,” they said.

“He is in critical condition and under life support at RDH — Please pray for him.”

They said his family and friends were expected to arrive Darwin soon on the post to Facebook on Wednesday night.

The student was found by his flatmates in bed in a pool of his own blood as an intruder fled the home with a fire extinguisher in hand, according to a surgeon at RDH.

CDU Vice-Chancellor Scott Bowman labelled the attack “sickening” saying the whole university had been left reeling after the incident.

“The university is absolutely devastated about this,” Professor Bowman said.

“This is a young man who travelled from the other side of the planet to come to Darwin for his education, and this sickening attack has left us all speechless, devastated and angry.

“The Bangladeshi student association is one of our strongest and a lot of them are outside ICU now, so we’re trying to do what we can for them.”

The scene outside a home on Trower Rd, Millner where an international student was left to die after a home invasion. Picture: Bethany Griffiths

The student had only started at CDU in February studying a Masters of Information Sciences after being recruited from his home country.

Professor Bowman said telling potential students from overseas that Darwin was a safe place was something he always felt proud to do, but after this incident felt he could no longer use that line.

“I would have been in Bangladesh when we recruited this student, I probably met his mum and dad and him over there,” he said.

“These kids from overseas are just so full of energy and so excited to be coming to Australia, this is the start of their lives, and for this to happen is just disgusting.

“I recruit students from around the world and one of the things I’m proud to say is Darwin is safe.

“I don’t think I can go back and say that now, not off an event like this.

“He wasn’t at a nightclub or out on the street, he was in bed when he got attacked. What could be worse? It’s going to have an impact on us.”

Police were called to the residence on Trower Rd, Millner at 4.25am Wednesday.

The victim’s flatmates rushed him to the emergency department.

The surgeon, who didn’t want to be named, was called into the ED early Wednesday morning and said the prognosis was not good.

NT Health confirmed on Wednesday afternoon he was still in a critical condition.

Police arrested a 29-year-old man in a vehicle in the area shortly after being called to the incident.

He remains in custody as investigations continue.

A police presence remained on site throughout the day.

NT News readers have expressed their concern about safety and sympathy for the young man following the incident.

“Not safe at work, not safe in your own home — It’s getting worse by the day!,” one posted.

“It’s out of control – when will this government start facing facts and act upon them — thoughts are with the young man, his family & friends,” another said.

“This needs to stop! Sending thoughts and prayers to the young man and family,” a reader wrote.

Originally published as International student in critical condition after violent Millner home invasion