Father demands justice after son, 24, fatally stabbed in Melbourne brawl

The father of a young man fatally stabbed in a “ferocious attack” at a Melbourne park has made an impassioned demand for justice.

Lino Atem, 24, was killed in a violent brawl about 11.30pm on Friday after being ambushed in the carpark of Haines Drive Reserve in Wyndham Vale.

He had been socialising with about six men in their 20s when four cars arrived, and at least 12 men jumped out, armed with “edged weapons”, said Inspector Paul Lloyd.

A fight broke out between the two groups lasting about five minutes, after which the attackers fled the scene in their vehicles in opposite directions.

When police arrived, they found Atem dead at the scene, while two other men, both aged 27, had sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

The victims all belonged to the group of people who were originally at the carpark, Lloyd said.

Lloyd said the attack appeared to be targeted based on its nature.

“It appears to have taken the people who were here by surprise,” Lloyd said.

“(The 24-year-old) certainly felt the full force of this attack. There’s no doubt whoever was (swinging) the blows has had some clear intent to cause serious damage and probably kill him.”

Father’s angry plea for justice

Speaking to 7NEWS on Sunday, Atem’s father, Deng Atem, expressed his anger and frustration over the lack of charges.

“I need justice. I want justice immediately,” he said.

“I’m waiting for the government and police to catch these people.”

Lino, Deng’s fourth son, was just weeks away from turning 25 in January.

Deng described Lino as a young man with many friends who loved playing basketball.

“He did everything for me, to help me,” Deng said, adding that he felt overwhelmed with despair upon hearing the tragic news.

Deng’s third son, Mading, was also injured in the attack and remains in hospital.

Having now lost two of his six sons, Deng said, “I need these people to be caught immediately.”

Investigation continues

Lloyd said no weapons had been recovered and the motive was unclear but the attack had been “ferocious”.

“The injuries to the deceased show that,” he said.

Four men from the original group, including a 24-year-old from Manor Lakes, a 28-year-old from Wyndham Vale, and two 26-year-olds from Wyndham Vale, were arrested nearby for their involvement in the fight. They have since been released.

The two 27-year-olds remain in hospital.

Lloyd said police had already obtained some “good CCTV” but that it would take a while to go through it all.

He urged any locals with CCTV to check their footage and for anyone driving past at the time to check their dashcam.

“While we don’t know what the story is behind this yet I’m sure there is one and we’ll do everything we can to uncover it,” Lloyd said.

“We’re very keen to get the bottom of what’s happened here.”

Anyone with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.