Distraught family pray after another brawl claims a life in suburban Melbourne - The Age

She visited the scene early on Tuesday morning with other family members, where they knelt in the middle of the mall, prayed and made a religious offering.

The grieving family of the young man killed in Eaton Mall.Credit:Penny Stephens

Homicide detectives are investigating what led to the fatal brawl which occurred near the entrance to the mall on Atherton Road just before 8pm on Monday.

Police said they were called to Atherton Road over a fight involving a number of people.

Mr Tran could not be revived and died at the scene.

Thomas 'Tommy' Tran and his mother Amy.Credit:Nine News

His cousin and housemate Fiona Tran said she was watching television about 7.30pm on Monday when Mr Tran said he was heading to the gym near their Springvale home.

"I heard him shake his protein shaker about 7.30pm," she said.

"It was just a normal night."

Ms Tran said she later received a call telling her Mr Tran had been injured and she drove her family to the scene.

She returned to the scene on Tuesday morning.

Ms Tran said while her cousin had gone through a rebellious teenage phase, he wasn't known to associate with dangerous people.

"He was my cousin but he was like my little brother," she said, sobbing.

Footage of the aftermath of the incident shows a group of young people sobbing and comforting one another on Monday night, while forensics investigators examine the footpath outside the Alimonakis Pharmacy.

Police spent much of Tuesday morning asking businesses in Eaton Mall for their CCVT footage.

"I thought it was maybe random but it’s more than that," Ms Tran said.

"A few people from different sides, that's all we know."

Fiona Tran says her cousin and housemate Tommy said he was going to the gym on Monday night before he was killed.Credit:Penny Stephens

Local MP, Steve Dimopoulos, said he was shocked at the violence which unfolded in a mall that was "loved across Melbourne".

"There is no place for violence in our community. Not now. Not ever," he wrote in a Facebook post on Monday evening.

"This is a location that is loved across Melbourne. It is on the map as a safe place for people to dine and come together.

"Whatever disagreements people may have – it is never worth someone’s life."

Thomas Tran's family in Eaton Mall where he died on Monday night. Mr Tran's mother Amy (right) sobs on the ground.Credit:Penny Stephens

Detectives are appealing for anyone who may have been in the area of Chester Street, Eaton Mall and Atherton Road between 7.30pm and 8pm on Monday to contact police. They are also asking for anyone with camera footage to come forward.

It is the third fatal brawl on Melbourne streets in the past fortnight, although the incidents are not related.

Last Monday, 21-year-old Machar Kot was stabbed outside a Melbourne CBD hotel and later died in hospital.

On June 16, teenager Solomone Taufeulungaki was stabbed to death outside Brimbank Shopping Centre in Deer Park.

Marco Deng, 22, has been charged with the murder of Mr Kot, while seven boys between the ages of 13 and 16 have been charged with affray in relation to the Deer Park brawl.

No one has been charged directly over Solomone's death.

Anyone with information on the latest incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

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https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMibGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnRoZWFnZS5jb20uYXUvbmF0aW9uYWwvdmljdG9yaWEvbWFuLWRlYWQtZm91ci1hcnJlc3RlZC1hZnRlci1vYWtsZWlnaC1icmF3bC0yMDIwMDYzMC1wNTU3ZzIuaHRtbNIBbGh0dHBzOi8vYW1wLnRoZWFnZS5jb20uYXUvbmF0aW9uYWwvdmljdG9yaWEvbWFuLWRlYWQtZm91ci1hcnJlc3RlZC1hZnRlci1vYWtsZWlnaC1icmF3bC0yMDIwMDYzMC1wNTU3ZzIuaHRtbA?oc=5

2020-06-30 01:35:31Z
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