Two teens charged with murder over stabbing death of 21-year-old Luke Manassa in Pemulwuy

Two teens – aged 16 and 17 – have been charged with murder after a young man was stabbed to death in front of his girlfriend on a western Sydney street.

Police are investigating whether the stabbing murder of a Sydney university student was a case of mistaken identity, and if the intended target was an associate of a notorious crime gang.

Two teenage boys were arrested from Sydney’s west on Thursday night and charged with the murder of 21-year-old Luke Manassa, after they allegedly stabbed him repeatedly with “hunting-style” machetes in the driveway of a Pemulwuy home last week.

Luke Manassa, was 21, was killed in a stabbing at Pemulwuy on June 26.

Police will allege the teenagers – aged 16 and 17 – were lying in wait when Manassa and his girlfriend arrived at the Driftway Drive home around 10.45pm last Thursday night, and had been contracted by higher-level crime figures.

It’s alleged the boys were part of a street gang, and had violent criminal histories, with the 17-year-old on bail at the time of the alleged murder.

On Friday, Homicide Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Joseph Doueihi described the crime as “amateurish” and said police were investigating whether Manassa was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

“The person who normally resides at that location, is well known to police and is linked to an organised crime network,” he said.

“It could well be the case (that he was the intended target).”

The Telegraph understands the home was owned by Anthony Khalil – who was arrested in June after allegedly abducting a 27-year-old Queensland man over a $2.4 million debt.

Khalil was one of seven men allegedly involved in the kidnapping, all of which police allege were linked to the notorious Alameddine family.

QLD Police allege the 27-year-old owed members of the crime clan $2.4 million, after they invested in his gambling investment company.

He told police he received daily death threats, via text message and social media, over several months, leading up to the alleged attack.

Forensic police at the scene of a fatal stabbing that occurred at Pemulway in western Sydney. Picture: Richard Dobson

Khalil was extradited to Queensland over the allegations, and was granted strict conditional bail.

It’s understood Khalil was not at the address on the night of the stabbing, and close associates of Manassa had been looking after the property.

Detective Superintendent Doueihi said police did not believe, however, Manassa’s murder was linked to the current gang war.

“This is a very amateurish offence, I’d call it disorganised crime,” he said.

“It does not have the hallmarks of other organised crime murders where they use multiple high performance stolen vehicles, cloned number plates, semiautomatic firearms- it doesn’t have any of those traits.”

Police investigating the scene. Picture: Richard Dobson

He said Manassa’s family was understandably devastated in the wake of the arrests.

“Losing a young son in these circumstances, I can’t explain what it would be like,” he said.

“They are struggling, they are doing it tough.”

Friend of the Manassa family Jason Morrison on Friday lauded the 21-year-old as a “very decent, remarkable young man”, who had babysat his children.

“This is a tragedy and this is inexplicable to us, to the family and to a very big community,” he said.

Luke Manassa loved fishing.

Police seized what they will allege was used as the getaway car from a separate residence. Picture: NSW Police

“A very good kid, law-abiding young man with such a bright and great future has been taken in the most horrendous manner and I guess I want to be here today to make sure everyone is clear that this, we believe, is a case of mistaken identity.”

The teens charged over his murder faced court on Friday, where they did not apply for bail, set to remain on remand until they next appear before the court in July.

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Originally published as Two teens charged with murder over stabbing death of 21-year-old Luke Manassa in Pemulwuy