Source : the age
Four teenagers charged over the bashing murder of a 21-year-old man were part of a group who went to a house party armed with weapons and a plan to harm people, police allege.
Detectives from Queensland’s Organised Crime Gangs Group are now part of the investigation into the death of Jongkuch Achiew, who was found lying severely injured in a suburban street by police after they were called to the out-of-control house party.
Achiew died at Princess Alexandra Hospital after succumbing to head injuries he suffered at the gathering at Bahrs Scrub, a suburb in Logan south of Brisbane, in the early hours of Sunday, July 26.
Four male teenagers, aged 18 and 19 years old, were arrested and charged on August 6 following investigations by homicide detectives.
On Sunday evening, four more teenagers aged 17 and 18 were arrested and charged with murder.
The teenagers were arrested after police stormed a house in Morayfield about 5pm, although they reside in Acacia Ridge, Sunnybank, Inala and Doolandella.
Speaking on Monday morning, Detective Inspector Ian Galpin said police would allege the group had a plan to harm people and armed themselves with various weapons, before attending the party.
“What the police will allege is that this group attended this location with a common purpose of causing harm to people at that address,” he said.
He would not elaborate on the types of weapons allegedly carried by the group.
When asked whether the alleged murder was gang-related, Galpin confirmed the Organised Crime Gangs Group had joined the police investigation.
However, he said police liaison officers had been working closely with community leaders to address any concerns.
“Together they have done an amazing job at addressing any suggestion or tension within the community,” Galpin said.
“I can tell you that everyone that we have spoken to, they want nothing but peace within their community and that’s why I’m confident there won’t be any further retaliation.”
He said police were continuing to work with the community to address concerns. There was a large crowd at the party, but police said they could not estimate the number of people in attendance.
Three 18-year-old men charged on Sunday – Morad George, Jason Marik, and Benito Bikanye – had their cases briefly mentioned in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday. Their cases were adjourned to August 24.
The case of the 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named under Queensland law, was heard in the Childrens Court.
Police have carried out 14 search warrants across Logan, South Brisbane, and Ipswich as part of the murder investigation. Galpin said it was possible more charges could be laid.
When asked about Achiew’s family, Galpin said it had been a very emotional and difficult time for them.
A message attributed to Achiew’s family, and posted to a social media group representing members of the Biong community from South Sudan, thanked police and other first responders for their efforts.
“This is a life cut far too short, and a loss felt profoundly by all who knew and loved him,” it said.
Police were called to the house party on Discovery Boulevard just after 2am following reports of a large disturbance.
They found significant damage at a house and vehicles along the street.
People allegedly fled the scene as soon as officers arrived, and Achiew was found with significant head injuries on a nearby street.
He was rushed to Princess Alexandra Hospital in a critical condition but died after his life support was switched off six days later.
A 22-year-old Heathwood man has also been charged with one count of contravening an order about information necessary to access information stored electronically.
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