Sunshine stabbing believed to be fuelled by ongoing tensions between two different schools

Police are concerned the stabbing of a 16-year-old near Sunshine train station could spark more violence among rival youths.

Tributes are flowing after Pasawm Lyhym, 16, was fatally stabbed at Sunshine. Picture: Supplied

Police continue to hunt for several knives used to stab a 16-year-old boy to death near Sunshine train station last week as the community rallies around the slain teen’s loved ones.

More than $2000 has been raised for the family of Pasawm Lyhym after a group of youths allegedly attacked him in broad daylight in front of shocked onlookers, including his cousin, near the station’s bus interchange on Thursday.

In a brazen attack believed to be fuelled by ongoing tensions between two different schools on social media, Pasawm lay bleeding to death as CCTV footage showed three persons of interest running away from the scene, brandishing long blades and dressed in dark clothing.

No arrests have been made and one teen of interest to investigators remains on the run.

Tributes are flowing for Pasawm Lyhym. Picture: TikTok

Pasawm fatally stabbed at Sunshine. Picture: Ian Currie

Pasawm was killed just hours before he was due to go to the movies with his older brother, Mawn, who remembered his younger brother as a “funny, really nice, welcoming and kind person”.

Homicide detectives on Friday questioned a 17-year-old Caroline Springs boy over the attack, but he was released pending further inquiries.

An 18-year-old Burnside man was also questioned, while police continued to search for a third alleged offender, who has not been spotted since Pasawm’s death.

Police said they feared his death could spark retaliatory attacks among rival youths.

Caroline Chisholm Catholic College was locked down on Friday after a group of youths – allegedly linked to the victim – gathered at a nearby bus stop.

Investigators are searching for at least three different weapons they believe were used in the shocking daylight killing, which has sparked an outpouring of support for Pasawm’s family.

GoFundMe organiser Sahil John said Pasawm was a “beautiful and loving soul”.

“Pasawm always put a smile to (sic) everyone’s face and was a loving guy,” they said.

“We now know he is in a better place.”

Victim’s longstanding ‘beef’ with alleged killer

The teen boy allegedly stabbed to death by another young man at Sunshine earlier this week had a long history of “beef” with his alleged killer.

Staughton College Student Pasawm Lyhym, 16, was fatally knifed at Sunshine Station on Thursday in front of horrified bystanders, including his distraught cousin, after being set upon by three young males.

But The Herald Sun understands it was not the first time the two rival groups from different schools in Melbourne’s west had clashed.

Students who claimed to know both Pasawm and his attacker alleged the pair had ongoing tensions which had escalated from online into acts of violence.

Verbal threats had previously been traded through social media, they claimed, as well as other physical altercations which many believed led to Pasawm’s brutal slaying.

Mourners gather at the bus stop in Sunshine where 16yr old Pasawm Lyhym was stabbed to death by youths during the week. Picture: Ian Currie

Friends seeking revenge have since taken to social media threatening acts of retaliation against the alleged teen killer. Others continued to share tributes to their fallen friend.

“He was a very funny, unproblematic guy. I don’t know how this happens,” friend Jarvis said in a tribute to Pasawam, affectionately known to friends as Genji.

On Friday, Caroline Chisholm Catholic College was locked down after a group of youths – allegedly linked to the victim – gathered at a nearby bus stop.

Vision shared by students from inside the secondary school showed at least eight youths mostly dressed in black clothing converging across the road.

Two officers could be seen briefly walking past the main entrance to the school.

Caroline Chisholm Catholic College Principal Rob Brennan said while the college was briefly locked down he could not comment on the specifics.

Mourners gather at the bus stop in Sunshine where 16yr old Pa Sawm Lyhym was stabbed to death by youths during the week. Picture: Ian Currie

“We are deeply saddened and shocked by this tragedy,” he said.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the victim.”

A 17-year-old Caroline Springs boy was arrested at Baybrook on Friday, but was interviewed by police and released without charges.

Following a public appeal for two other suspects to turn themselves in on Friday evening, an 18-year-old Burnside man surrendered at a suburban police station but was also released without charge after police interviewed him.

The search for a third teenage boy believed to be involved is continuing, and the officers are continuing to investigate the violent killing.

Floral tributes to Pasawm Lyhym seen at Sunshine station where he was allegedly stabbed to death. Picture: NCA NewsWire

Victoria Police said two other 16-year-old boys were also injured during the altercation – one was treated at the scene and the other taken to hospital.

Detectives were on Saturday still probing the circumstances which led to the tragedy between the students from two different schools.

Victoria Police on Friday afternoon held a press conference over fears of a retaliation attack.

“(Retaliation) would be of a concern to us and that’s why we want to engage with the families and engage with the witnesses,” Detective Senior Sergeant Janet Stevenson said.

“We’ll do anything in our power to stop that from happening.”

The investigation remains ongoing.