Oscar Hamilton identified as victim of fatal stabbing at Woodgrove shopping centre in Melton
A teen accused of stabbing another boy to death at a Melbourne shopping centre has wiped away tears as he faced court for the first time.
The 15-year-old Melton West boy was charged with murder after Oscar Hamilton, 16, was fatally stabbed at the Woodgrove shopping centre in Melton on Tuesday.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Teen charged over deadly stabbing.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The incident began as a verbal argument between two boys before becoming physical, with one brandishing a knife.
Police allege Hamilton was stabbed several times at the shopping centre’s outdoor food court before his attacker ran from the area.
Hamilton suffered life-threatening injuries and died at the scene.
A 15-year-old was arrested several hours after the incident and was charged overnight with one count of murder.
The teenager faced a children’s court on Wednesday for a filing hearing, where he wiped away tears as he sat in the dock for his brief court appearance.
No details of the alleged offending were read in court, with the 15-year-old remanded to a committal mention in January.
His lawyer told the magistrate it was the 15-year-old’s first time in custody and he needed to be assessed by a nurse.
The boy did not apply for bail.
‘Heart of gold’
Tributes have begun pouring in for Hamilton, with his girlfriend remembering him as a “sweet boy”, writing on social media that he was “gone too soon”.
Another person said Hamilton had an “infectious smile” and a “heart of gold”.
“He will be forever missed and always loved and remembered by all who were fortunate enough to have had him brace (sic) his soul with us for the short time here on Earth with us,” they said.
“Too precious for this world.”
Detective Senior Sergeant Nigel L’Estrange said Hamilton’s mother had dropped her son at the centre just before the incident, with school holidays in Victoria starting this week.
She was not at the centre when the stabbing occurred.
L’Estrange slammed the incident as a “senseless act”.
“A young man whose life has now been taken away and a family grieving now,” he said.
“Another young kid whose life is going to be destroyed for what he’s done.”
Police believe the two boys were known to each other and there were not believed to be any gang links.
Originally published on 7NEWS
