Mourners protest against knife crime days after the fatal stabbing of teen Oscar Hamilton
Crowds have taken to the streets in Melbourne’s west chanting “stop knives, save lives”, days after 16-year-old Oscar Hamilton was allegedly stabbed to death at Woodgrove Shopping Centre.
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Up to 200 mourners have made a passionate plea to “stop knife crime” in a powerful march to remember slain teen Oscar Hamilton.
Oscar’s loved ones and members of the public were given a police escort as they marched in solidarity to farewell the 16-year-old allegedly murdered.
Oscar’s girlfriend and many of his close friends led the march from Woodgrove Shopping Centre to the Melton Police Station.
“Stop knives, save lives,” and “justice for Oscar,” they yelled through tears.
Highway patrol officers closed several streets and diverted traffic to allow the huge group to send their message.
A family member of the teenager begged the crowd to focus on and remember Oscar, instead of the 15-year-old boy in custody.
“We’re also completely overwhelmed with the outpouring of love from you all, and I’m so sorry that you have lost a friend,” she said to the crowd.
“We implore you, keep this about Oscar. Keep it about the beautiful, loving boy that we have known.”
The alleged murderer’s home was reportedly vandalised in the days since Oscar’s death.
Ms Hamilton asked Oscar’s friends and the wider community to leave his family out of it.
She asked people to never say his name.
“Don’t make this about the (alleged) perpetrator. If you know his name, do not speak it. Do not circulate it,” she added.
“It does (not) help, in fact, it can undermine the police’s work and we all want justice for Oscar, but it has to be done through the right channels.
“If anybody knows where he (the alleged murder) lives, he’s not there. Leave his family alone, they did not do this.”
One of Oscar’s school friends said it was “heartbreaking” to see what had happened to her friend.
“It’s just really hard to see, he was such a beautiful and sweet boy and it’s been taken away,” she said through tears.
“He never deserved anything like this. He still had his whole life ahead of him, it’s really heartbreaking.
“He always brought people happiness and made people smile, he just gave so much joy to everyone.
“Stop the violence because it’s not right what happened to him.”
Terecya’s son was one of Oscar’s best friends.
She said her son was struggling to come to terms with what had happened.
“Oscar was like another son to me,” she said.
“If they weren’t at Oscar’s house, they were at my house.”
She said tougher laws around the sale of knives was needed to keep teenagers safe.
“We need change, we need legislation that stops youths purchasing knives, it just has to stop,” she added.
“You come to the shops to go shopping, not to get killed and not come home, it’s not fair.”
The group released blue, green, black and white balloons shortly after in memory of the teenager.
They sang “See You Again” by Wiz Khalifa as they released hundreds of balloons into the air just before 2pm on Friday.
Members of the public wore t-shirts with the words “stop knife violence in the youth” and “make my future safe”.
Oscar was allegedly stabbed to death outside the food court of the shopping centre on Tuesday morning.
A 15-year-old boy has since been charged with his murder and remains in police custody.
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