A neighborhood dispute over a fallen gum tree allegedly led to the murder of a man in Sydney’s southwest.
Edgar Campos, 42, is accused of strangling Michael Wickham, 60, during an alleged altercation in Mount Pritchard on Saturday, and has been formally charged with murder.
NSW Police are investigating whether the alleged altercation was caused by a large tree that fell from Campos’ property on Streaton Avenue and landed on a neighboring house on Dargie St, rented by Wickham and his father John Franks.
CCTV footage showed Mr Wickham attending his neighbour’s house on Saturday afternoon before the pair allegedly confronted each other.
The couple is seen shouting in each other’s faces as they push and shove each other.
Separate security footage allegedly showed the pair throwing punches at each other before Campos wrapped his legs around Wickham and threw him to the ground.
Onlookers gathered until footage showed paramedics arriving at the scene and attempting to revive Mr Wickham, who died at the scene.
Michael Wickham (pictured right with his father John Franks) died after an alleged altercation near his home in Mount Pritchard on Saturday.
CCTV shows Mr Wickham and neighbor Edgar Campos exchanging blows during the alleged altercation.
His heartbroken father told Daily Telegraph that he was “really upset” and “wicked” about losing his only son, who he said had been his full-time caregiver for about a decade.
He said his son was he was loved by many in the community, especially the local children whom he “took great care of” and played with his dog.
“(Michael) was a really spectacular guy,” Mr. Franks said.
Police established the crime scene and cordoned off the street on Saturday afternoon.
Campos was arrested at the scene and taken to the Fairfield police station, where he was charged with murder.
He was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Bail Court on Monday.
Anyone who witnessed the alleged incident or who has CCTV or dash cam is asked to contact Crime Stoppers.
Police have launched a homicide investigation into the incident. In the photo the police appear at the scene.
Michael Wickham died at the scene, despite paramedics’ best attempts to revive him.
Dozens of police swarmed Mount Pritchard Street following the alleged incident.