Five youths brutally killed in six months. Police say someone knows something

The brutal deaths of five young Melbourne men in just six months are suspected to be linked to street gang tensions — and the grieving families are desperate for answers.

Five brutal killings in six months are suspected of being linked to Melbourne street gang friction.

At least two of the tragic killings are believed to have involved mistaken identity attacks in which someone unrelated to tensions died.

The five alleged murders which have been at the centre of separate homicide squad investigations involved shocking acts of violence carried out in public places.

Four were in Melbourne’s outer west.

Police believe there are witnesses and others with information who are yet to come forward with potentially crucial information.

Nathan Mwanza was fatally stabbed on a bus at Wyndham Vale in February. Picture: Instagram

The most recent was that of aspiring model Nathan Mwanza, 24, who was fatally stabbed and bashed on a bus at Wyndham Vale on February 19.

The 24-year-old, who had no history with police, died from his injuries at a bus stop on Haines Drive.

Investigators have charged two men, 17 and 22, with murder but are still trying to find other witnesses who were travelling on the bus at the time.

On the night of January 10, Lino Atem was stabbed to death and two other people were wounded in an onslaught at a Wyndham Vale park, also on Haines Drive.

Police, who were called to reports of fighting in the park, believe Mr Atem was attacked in a case of mistaken identity.

His brother Atem is also the victim of an unsolved alleged murder after he was shot dead at a Wyndham Vale home two years ago in an attack which claimed the life of another man.

Lino Atem was stabbed to death in Wyndham Vale. Picture: Supplied

On December 20 last year, 18-year-old Konshu Sein was bashed and stabbed in an affray on McBurnie Drive in Kurunjang.

Emergency services called to a brawl at about 7pm found three injured men, one of whom was Mr Sein, who died from his injuries.

Five males, aged 15 to 22, were arrested and charged with his murder.

Konshu Sein was bashed and stabbed in a fight near Melton.

On November 2, young rapper Pal Bidong was shot dead on Langford St, North Melbourne.

Police say a major affray involving a “large group” of people had happened in the period before the 20-year-old Mr Bidong was fatally wounded.

Kioyom Athum, 28, was the first of the cluster of deaths.

Mr Athom was stabbed in a park near Lennon Parkway in Derrimut at 4.20am on August 24 and died there, despite the efforts of mates to save him.

No charges have yet been laid.

Police said each of the cases appeared to be targeted attacks but exact motives were not clear in every one.

Pal Bidong was shot dead in North Melbourne. Picture: Facebook

A Victoria Police statement said all of the cases were the subject of active investigation by detectives from the homicide squad and were priority matters.

Investigators believe there are people who knew what had happened, some of whom were present or had subsequently heard details.

“Whatever that information is – police want to hear it. It could be details about who was involved, how the incident took place or what the motivation for the attack was. Any small detail could be the thing that makes an enormous difference,” the statement said.

It went on to say that what happened had caused immense pain for families without answers and generated concern in the broader community.

Kioyom Athum was fatally stabbed at a park in Derrimut. Picture: Instagram

“We can’t imagine how difficult it must be for these families knowing there are people out there who could help solve this and hold their loved one’s killers to account, and yet they are choosing not to,” the statement said.

“They had their lives ahead of them and their deaths have taken away so many opportunities from their family and friends. They will never get to see so many milestones in their lives such as birthdays, marriages, children or careers. There are so many things they won’t get to experience.

“A number of our alleged victims were good and hard-working members of the community who were not known to police and there is no immediate reason why they should have been targeted in this way,” it said.

Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.