By Lachlan Abbott and Angus Delaney
The teenager accused of killing a 16-year-old boy at a shopping centre on Melbourne’s western fringe has sobbed during a court hearing as his family watched on.
Oscar Hamilton was found with life-threatening injuries at the outdoor food court of Woodgrove Shopping Centre in Melton West just before midday Tuesday. First responders started CPR, but the boy from Harkness died at the scene.
Oscar Hamilton, 16, died in a stabbing at a Melton shopping centre .
“It’s believed there may have been an altercation between the victim and another male who fled the scene,” Victoria Police said in a statement.
Homicide detectives later arrested a 15-year-old boy. He was then charged with murder, police said in a statement released early on Wednesday.
The 15-year-old, who cannot be identified due to his age, faced a children’s court on Wednesday, charged with one count of murder. He was seen crying in the dock during parts of the brief hearing, and his family was present in the courtroom.
The court heard it was the teenager’s first time in custody. He was remanded in custody to reappear in court in January.
Oscar’s father, Steven Hamilton, released a statement to The Age on behalf of his family late Tuesday night.
“Today our world was shattered,” the statement said.
“Broken to pieces by a senseless act that cut short the life of our son and brother, Oscar. His loss has left a gaping hole in our hearts and our grief knows no bounds. We ask for the space and privacy to navigate this incredibly difficult time.”
Oscar’s girlfriend, Briannan Hibbert, said he was a “beautiful soul” who filled people’s lives with “so much light and joy”.
Homicide squad detectives at the shopping centre on Tuesday.Credit: Nine News
“You never failed to bring a smile to faces. Life will never be the same without you,” she wrote on Facebook. “My heart will forever ache knowing that you are gone.”
Police officers and forensic investigators swarmed the shopping centre crime scene on Tuesday afternoon.
Detective Senior Sergeant Nigel L’Estrange told reporters it was likely the pair involved knew each other.
“This is an absolutely tragic and senseless act that’s occurred here on school holidays, in an area where there’s going to be lots of kids attending,” he said.
Police rushed to the scene after the stabbing.Credit: Nine News
A police spokeswoman said the circumstances of the teenager’s death were still being investigated.
A witness, Steve, told radio station 3AW that several police cars had converged on the shopping centre after the stabbing.
“The food court where it’s happened just outside of, it’s still open and there’s people oblivious to it,” he said.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or to make a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
with Ashleigh McMillan
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