By Brendan Rees
A man in his twenties was assaulted and died at the scene outside a milk bar in Doveton on Thursday evening, 19 July.
Police and emergency services were called to Linden Place in Doveton just before 9.20pm.
Investigators have been told the victim was allegedly involved in an altercation with a group of men before being “assaulted with an edged weapon.”
The victim was treated by emergency services but died at the scene.
The exact circumstances surrounding the incident are yet to be determined; no arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing.
SES crews were on scene during the morning of Friday 20 July, scouring the area for evidence.
A witness who spoke to Star News was inside the milk bar at the time the incident occurred when she saw three men “pushing and shoving.”
“There were two Afghan guys arguing with someone,” she said. “They kept going at each other and one of them said ‘You watch dog.’”
“Me being scared I ran but I didn’t hear anyone get stabbed. The milk bar guy, he saw the guy fall on the ground,” Kara said.
Neighbour Penny, who asked not to reveal her surname, said she heard yelling from her home across the road.
“We heard them yelling and automatically looked out the window,” she said, before seeing the group “take off.”
“It’s very sad – it somebody’s son, in a split second your life can change.”
Penny added “enough is enough,” saying the area has attracted anti-social behaviour in recent times and sees fights “all the time.”
“It never used to be this bad, it used to be a friendly shopping strip, she said. “My window got smashed not so long ago and I had a break-in.“
She said she also had to put down her 15 month-old dog not long ago “because someone was throwing rocks at it.”
“You’re not safe in your home. It makes you think what society has come to.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
