A devastated friend of the victim speaks with detectives. Photo / Gaye Gerard, NewsWire
A second teenager has been charged with murder after the death of a 17-year-old in Sydney’s northwest on Monday.
NSW Police said this morning that a 15-year-old boy had been arrested the previous evening. That follows the earlier arrest of another 15-year-old on murder charges.
Both boys have been refused bail.
The death has shocked the community of Rouse Hill with the area’s local member slamming weapon laws in NSW, saying youth and knife crime has now become “rampant” across Sydney.
Ray Williams, who is the member for the electorate of Kellyville, which includes Rouse Hill, told news.com.au he was no longer going to “stand by” as he was concerned his area became “target practice” for young criminals.
“We’ve had homes being shot at. People wandering the streets with knives, thinking that’s okay.
“And with the growth of this area, we are seeing crime go up. It’s happening too frequently and in my backyard.”
One 15-year-old boy was charged with murder on Tuesday after a teenager was stabbed behind a school in a park on Caballo St in Rouse Hill about 4.20pm on Monday.
The boy had a stab wound to his leg and was treated by paramedics but died at the scene.
Police have now said a second teenager is in custody.
“Following further investigations, strike force detectives – with assistance from officers attached to the Public Order and Riot Squad – executed a search warrant at a home on Collins Circuit, Rouse Hill, about 9.45pm [on Tuesday],” said NSW Police.
During the search, police arrested another 15-year-old boy and took him to Castle Hill Police Station where he was charged with murder.
The teen was refused bail and will appear before a children’s court on Wednesday.
Local MP Williams said the NSW Government needed to urgently introduce minimum sentences for those who carry weapons in NSW.
“I’m fired up about it.
“We as leaders need to send the strongest possible message. You want to pick up a knife? Then we can lock you up,” he said.
“Knife crime has never been more prevalent across our society. Youth crime is rampant.
“Have the guts to stand up and say enough is enough.”
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 the boy’s leg.
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.”
On Tuesday afternoon, police detectives climbed on the roof of the park shelter where the boy died.
All that was left of the scene was bright blue dye blotches that police had used to clean the blood from the area.
The victim’s friends came to the scene of the teen’s murder throughout the day, leaving flowers in tribute.
“[The victim] should still be here,” one of his friend’s mothers said.
His heartbroken girlfriend wrote a tribute on social media as friends and family reacted with grief.
“You will be remembered by all,” she wrote online.
“I love you so much and you will be forever in my heart.”
The victim’s two have both made heartbreaking tributes to their brother on social media.
The boy’s sister took to TikTok writing: “I love you so much brother and I’ll miss you forever and ever and ever” while his brother spoke about “staying strong” for the teenager.
“I love you bro and I will stay strong like I would want me to,” he also wrote.
The 15-year-old boy was refused bail and will appear in a children’s court in January.
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