Dad posts emotional tribute to son stabbed to death at Marriott Waters Shopping Centre in Lyndhurst

A young man stabbed to death after being set upon by up to 10 men armed with machetes at Marriott Waters Shopping Centre has been remembered as a kind son with an “infectious sense of humour”.

A young man stabbed to death in a vicious machete attack has been remembered as a kind son with an “infectious sense of humour”.

Twenty-four-year old Timothy became the latest victim in Melbourne’s terrifying knife crime scourge on Friday night when a group of 10 men armed with weapons surrounded him while he was sitting in his car outside Marriott Waters Shopping Centre in Lyndhurst.

Police say a fight broke out about 8.30pm before the assailants chased Timothy down as he tried to flee and stabbed him several times in the shopping centre’s loading dock area.

He died at The Alfred hospital later that night.

His killers remained on the run on Monday.

“Tim was an extraordinary individual whose kindness, generosity, and infectious sense of humour brought light and joy to the lives of many,” his father wrote on social media.

“We will forever treasure the memories we created with him.”

Timothy, 24, was stabbed to death in Lyndhurst on Friday. Picture: Supplied

A cousin of Timothy demanded further government action and for his killers to be held to account.

“This is yet another unbelievable tragedy,” a cousin of Timothy’s said.

“This is unacceptable. Curse upon those who did this. Justice will prevail for my cousin.

“I hope Australia (sic) government will do something soon.”

Another loved one said: “This is heartbreaking.”

Police will probe whether those involved in what they believe was a targeted attack have any gang affiliations, after it was discovered Timothy and his alleged attackers knew each other.

Armed crime squad detective inspector Adam Tilley said police were concerned about potential revenge attacks after Timothy’s violent death.

“Any incident that plays out in this nature involving machetes or edged weapons is a concern to us,” he said.

Detective Inspector Tilley said police understood the group of African males arrived in a Hyundai Kona sedan.

After a short “dispute”, Timothy tried to drive away but collided into another vehicle.

Detective Inspector Tilley said he was able to stumble a short distance after he was assaulted, collapsing on the pavement outside a store.

Police at the Marriott Waters Shopping Centre in Lyndhurst. Picture: Andrew Hosking

Police believe the attack was targeted. Picture: Andrew Hosking

A shop owner rushed out to offer Timothy first aid before emergency services arrived.

Police have spoken with his family, who according to Detective Inspector Tilley, were left “traumatised” by reports of their son’s death.

Lyndhurst resident Abhijeet Singh, 35, was in his car on the way to get groceries when he noticed the group, of whom he suspected were teenagers, all gathered outside Crust Pizza.

“I saw a group of 10 to 20 young people gathered around a silver sedan,” Mr Singh said.

“Within seconds, something had happened and they were running in every direction, all screaming.

“That’s when I saw two guys running towards the Subway, one of them had a machete in his hand.”

For Mr Singh, the incident on Friday night has left him feeling “fearful”.

He moved to the area just last year in the hopes of living in a safer neighbourhood.

The pleas for further action from Timothy’s loved ones come after Premier Jacinta Allan last week announced a ban on machetes in Victoria and tougher bail tests for repeat offenders.

Victorian Opposition leader Brad Battin called out Premier Jacinta Allan for failing to act sooner on a machete ban.

CCTV footage captures men running on the other side of the street. Picture: Supplied

The government is moving to ban machetes. Picture: Andrew Hosking

Mr Battin said he would support prohibiting machetes as soon as possible, calling on the Allan government to stop delaying legislation change and “get it done now” instead.

Premier Jacinta Allan said Timothy’s death was a “tragedy”, before defending the government’s decision to wait six months before enforcing a machete ban.

“This is a tragedy and my thoughts are with the family and friends of this young man,” Ms Allan said.

In response to criticism from Mr Battin about the government’s failure to enact the machete ban “as soon as possible, the Premier insisted the decision was in line with Victoria Police.

“I am listening and I am acting, with Australia’s toughest bail laws and Australia’s first machete ban – machetes are destroying lives so we will destroy machetes,” she said.

Timothy’s stabbing death is the latest in a string of violent attacks across Melbourne.

Two 17-year-old and 22-year-old men are facing murder charges over the stabbing death of 23-year-old model Nathan Mwanza at a Wyndham Vale bus stop in February.

On January 10, Lino Atem, 24, was also stabbed to death in Wyndham Vale in a pack attack.

Police arrested more than a dozen people over his alleged murder, including a 15-year-old boy.