Tears as crime crisis claims teen

A talented young soccer player died when a brawl broke out at a party hosted by a group of African-Australians.

Laa Chol was assaulted and died at the party in Melbourne’s CBD. Picture: Instragram

Talented young soccer player Laa Chol was due to take the pitch for Skye United’s senior women’s side in last night’s crucial clash with the Monbulk Rangers.

Instead, homicide investi­gators are probing the 19-year-old’s death after a party hosted by a group of African-Australian friends in a rented apartment in Melbourne’s CBD turned violent early on Saturday.

Police revealed last night that a brawl broke out after an uninvited group gatecrashed the party.

“Police do not believe the second group was invited … by either the person who booked the apartment, or the deceased,” a spokesman said.

Wailing could be heard coming from the Chol family home in Pakenham in Melbourne’s southeast yesterday as devastated family and friends came to pay their respects. Countless pairs of shoes lined the front doorstep, with the door remaining wide open, while people milled about outside, ­trying to make sense of a senseless situation.

Ms Chol’s mother, Ojwanga Abalo, said her daughter “loved everyone” and “there were no sad moments”.

“I’m speechless. … she helped me with everything. She found me a job, she makes sure I’m OK,’’ Ms Abalo said. “I don’t know what I’m going to do without her.”

Police were called to the $125-a-night short-stay apartment on the 56th floor of the EQ Tower about 5.15am on Saturday, describing the scene as “chaotic”.

According to Victoria Police commander Tim Hansen, a group of young people — aged in their late teens and early 20s and “all of African-Australian backgrounds” — had rented the apartment for the night. A second, separate group of people arrived at some stage in the evening.

Players from Skye United womens soccer club become emotional as they take to the field for a minutes silence at Monbulk. Picture: Stuart McEvoy.

“A dispute of some nature has occurred, resulting in the victim … being assaulted,” Commander Hansen said, revealing that several people fled the apartment ­afterwards. “Despite the best ­efforts of the attending paramedics, the girl passed away at the scene.”

Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton said the “needless loss of a young life” highlighted a “major law and order problem” in the state. The teen’s death occurred in the electorate of Greens member Adam Bandt, who last week ­accused Mr Dutton of overstating the problem. Mr Bandt said his thoughts were with the young woman’s family but he hoped the tragedy was “not used as fodder by race-baiting politicians”.

About 12 people from the party are assisting police with the investi­gation, while CCTV footage from outside the building is also being scoured for clues.

While police have released few details of the incident, it has not surprisingly fuelled the long-­running political stoush around youth crime involving African-Australians in Melbourne. The group’s over-representation in ­official crime statistics and involvement in a recent spate of out-of-control house parties have sparked calls for tougher intervention.

Police attend the crime scene. Picture: AAP

Premier Daniel Andrews yesterday described Ms Chol’s death as a “great tragedy” but insisted that the state government had taken a “tough stand” against youth crime.

Ms Chol was an aspiring lawyer said to be dedicated to her parents and younger siblings.

Cousin Nyawie Dau told the Herald Sun that Ms Chol had grown up in Kenya and moved to Australia in 2005. “We need justice for Laa. They need to find whoever did this,” Ms Dau said.

Ms Chol juggled a part-time job at KFC with singing in a choir, ­attending church, and playing for Skye United.

Soccer was her great passion, shown by her Facebook page, where she jokingly claimed to be a “Chelsea striker”.

She joined Skye United in March and quickly became known as a skilled player and fearsome tackler.

Teammates held a minute’s ­silence before last night’s match kicked off.

Coach Stephen Babbage said he spoke to Ms Chol’s parents yesterday and was told that the game should go on. “They told us to play the game for Laa, that she loved the game,” Mr Babbage said.

Captain Madison Brooks said the team was devastated. “She didn’t go for the handshake, she went for the hug. She was that kind of girl.”