Father and son killed at 1yo’s birthday party in Melbourne’s southeast

An argument at the party, attended by about 20 people, escalated into a brawl, which spilled onto the street, police said.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains images and names of people who have died.

Two men stabbed to death in a brawl at a one-year-old’s birthday party in Melbourne’s southeast have been identified as father and son.

Karl Gruber Terrick, 23, and his dad, also named Karl, 54, were killed during the party on Observatory St in Clyde North on Thursday night.

An argument at the party, attended by about 20 people, escalated into a brawl, which spilled onto the street, police said.

The two men were stabbed during the brawl. Paramedics attended the scene, but the pair could not be saved.

Karl Gruber Terrick. Picture: Facebook

Karl Gruber’s football club paid tribute to the young man on social media, calling him a “true gentleman at the club who wore his heart on his sleeve and let his footy do the talking.”

About 20 people were involved in the brawl but several people had left before police arrived, Superintendent Janet Stevenson said: “We need to talk to those people.

“These people hold the key.”

Karl Gruber Snr (pictured) died alongside his son.

CCTV from a neighbour captured someone screaming following the incident.

Stevenson said no weapons had yet been found and could not confirm how many people police were hoping to talk to.

She said it was a shock that the men were killed at the party they were invited to.

“It’s tragic, you can just imagine how that family feels now — it should have been a great celebration but it’s just a dreadful ending,” Stevenson said.

“These people know who they are and it’s in the best interest, especially to this family, for them to contact us as soon as possible and just don’t drag this out, it’s not good for anyone.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.