Boy, 15, accused of murdering Oscar Hamilton at Woodgrove Shopping Centre cries in court

The boy accused of the vicious stabbing at Woodgrove Shopping Centre wiped away tears as he sat in the dock of a children’s court, accused of murdering another teen.

Oscar Hamilton, 16, died after he was allegedly stabbed by another teen at Woodgrove Shopping Centre. Picture: Facebook

A teenager accused of the vicious stabbing murder of another boy at Woodgrove Shopping Centre has cried as he fronted court.

The 15-year-old’s lawyer had to provide him with tissues, which he used to wipe away tears as he sat in the dock at a children’s court on Wednesday.

He mostly had his head bowed throughout the brief administrative hearing, but at one point, looked up towards his family, who were also visibly upset.

No details of his alleged crime were aired in court.

But his lawyer said it was his first time in custody and requested he see the custody nurse.

Asked by the magistrate if he had any questions, the boy shook his head and said “no”.

Oscar Hamilton, 16, died after he was allegedly stabbed by another teen at Woodgrove Shopping Centre. Picture: Facebook

Homicide squad detective Stephen Eppingstall was in court for the filing of the single charge of murder.

The magistrate requested that he provide both a hard and electronic copy of the brief of evidence to the court by December 18.

The accused teen was remanded in custody to re-appear for a committal mention in January.

The boy was charged with murder over the fatal stabbing of 16-year-old Oscar Hamilton after a fight broke out at the shopping centre on Tuesday evening.

The 15-year-old allegedly stabbed Hamilton multiple times in front of horrified shoppers after the two boys got into an altercation at the suburban shopping centre’s food court just before midday on Tuesday.

A bystander attempted CPR but Oscar, from Harkness, died at the scene.

The accused allegedly fled but was apprehended a short time later and interviewed by police.

Police at the scene of the fatal stabbing on Tuesday. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Four security guards patrolled the food court in Woodgrove shopping centre on Wednesday morning as traders prepared to open up for the day.

A man in a suit cleared the last remnants of police tape from outside La Porchetta, where Oscar is believed to have died.

It appeared to be business as usual for the shops and eateries inside the massive retail precinct.

A 15-year-old boy has been charged with murder. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Tributes for ‘beautiful soul’

Oscar has been remembered as a “beautiful soul” who “filled everyone’s life with so much light and joy”.

Oscar’s girlfriend Briannan Hibbert created a public Facebook group to commemorate the 16-year-old’s life.

She described Oscar as a “beautiful soul that I was lucky enough to call my boyfriend”.

“It was never meant to end this way but I’m guessing heaven needed you more than us,” the post read.

“Nobody will ever get over this. You filled everyone’s life with so much light and joy. You never failed to bring a smile to faces.

“Life will never be the same without you. My heart will forever ache knowing that you are gone.

“I will never forgive who did this to you. We are going to get you justice, don’t you worry.

“Everyone was so lucky to have you in their life. This world was too cruel for your beautiful soul.”

Oscar Hamilton, 16, has been remembered as a “beautiful soul”. Picture: Facebook

The death is the latest in a string of violent incidents at the shopping centre. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Other friends described Oscar as “lovely” and “well-mannered”.

Pip Ware, who met Oscar on a few occasions because her daughter knew him, said she was devastated for the boy’s family and friends.

“It’s tragic, it’s heartbreaking, I can’t even begin to imagine what these kids are going through,” she said.

“It’s something these children should not have to deal with. He was a lovely, well-mannered kid.”

Police said the two boys were known to each other and there were no known links to youth gangs in the western suburbs.

Police said Oscar’s mother had dropped her son off at the shopping centre.

She has been ­assisting investigators, who have shopping centre CCTV footage of the killing.

People comfort each other at the scene. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Detective Senior Sergeant Nigel L’estrange said the death was another tragic outcome involving teenagers.

“This is an absolutely tragic and senseless act,” he said at the scene.

“It’s a senseless act, a young man whose life has been taken away. His family are grieving now.

“Another young kid whose life is going to be destroyed for what he’s done.”

Witnesses were urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

The fatal attack is at least the 12th reported knife incident at a Melbourne shopping centre since January, despite new police powers to stop the sale of machetes to youth gang members.

It is also one of several such separate incidents at the Woodgrove shopping centre.

Two teenage boys were arrested after terrified mothers and children were forced to flee the centre after a group of machete-wielding men became involved in a bloodied brawl in April.

Detectives understand the group, armed with various weapons, launched their frightening attack about 5pm on April 15, throwing chairs and waving knives and machetes.

Horrific footage showed two assailants, one armed with an axe, attack another, who was armed with a machete near the KFC.

Police also descended on the centre in January after reports a youth allegedly tried to slash a teenage boy with a machete.

The shopping centre boosted security after that incident.