Rouse Hill stabbing: 15-year-old charged with murder after teen’s death

A 15-year-old boy has been charged with murder. Photo / Supplied

A young girl desperately tried to save a 17-year-old boy after he was stabbed in Sydney’s northwest in what police are investigating as a possible robbery.

A 15-year-old boy has been charged with murder – in what police say could be a robbery gone wrong – after the teen was found with a stab wound to his leg in Bruce Purser Reserve on Caballo St, Rouse Hill about 4.20pm on Monday.

He was treated by paramedics but died at the scene.

Police sources say they are investigating robbery as a possible motive.

They also said a group of girls were in the park at the time and one attempted to stop the bleeding by putting her hand over the puncture to his leg.

He died at the scene.

The 17-year-old died at the scene. Photo / Supplied

The 15-year-old boy was arrested after he attended Riverstone Police Station shortly before 7pm. He was accompanied by a parent.

The boy has since been charged with murder.

“He is providing information to us about the circumstances this afternoon,” Hills Area Commander Superintendent Naomi Moore told reporters on Monday night.

She said it was too early to say if it was gang-related, but believed the boys had some connection.

“It’s very early in the investigation, but I will say to you that I don’t believe it was random,” she said.

“There is some connection, but that will take some time to draw out.”

She said there was no link to the nearby Rouse Hill High School.

“This has impacted the core of the community. I have no other words but it’s a tragedy, and it’s senseless,” she said.

Superintendent Moore praised several young women who ran to help the injured boy, who suffered a single stab wound to his thigh.

“It would have been a horrifically confronting situation for those people and I can only praise. Emergency services have been called but unfortunately that boy died at the scene.”

NSW Police established a crime scene and launched a major investigation.

‘Absolutely awful’: Suburb rocked by stabbing

The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the local community.

Resident David Lee, who has lived in the area for several years, said it was unusual to have that kind of thing happen in the area.

“It’s awful, absolutely awful. It’s not what we expect in this area,” Lee said.

“It’s so safe – or it has been.”

A fellow resident of nearly five years, Josh Bloomfield, said the incident had shaken the community.

“I don’t know what to do with the information. We’re still grappling with the reality of it,” Bloomfield said.

“You’re thinking, ‘Oh, well, my kids are going to be walking in the same area.’

“Last night putting our kids to bed, we were trying to keep them from scrolling and seeing any news. It affects the kids differently than it affects us as adults,” he said.

Bloomfield also sent a message to the teenager’s family, encouraging them to reach out if they need support.

“We’re here for you,” he said.

The incident happened behind a primary school in Rouse Hill about 5pm on Monday. Photo / Nine News

NSW Premier Chris Minns passed on his condolences to the dead boy’s family and friends.

“It is an unimaginable loss, and the whole community will feel the impact.”

Local federal MP Michelle Rowland posted a statement on social media, saying she was “deeply saddened” by the incident.

“Deeply saddened to learn of the tragic loss of a young life in Rouse Hill this afternoon,” the federal Attorney-General said.

“My thoughts and deepest condolences are with the young boy’s family during this extremely difficult time.

“May he rest in peace.”

The 15-year-old boy was refused bail to appear in a children’s court on Tuesday.

Sign up to Herald Premium Editor’s Picks, delivered straight to your inbox every Friday. Editor-in-Chief Murray Kirkness picks the week’s best features, interviews and investigations. Sign up for Herald Premium here.