The girlfriend of a 16-year-old boy who was allegedly stabbed to death at a busy shopping centre has urged his fellow students to “stop carrying guns”.
Briannan Hibbert changed her Instagram bio to include the message following the death of her boyfriend Oscar Hamilton on Tuesday.
Oscar Hamilton was allegedly stabbed at the outdoor food court of the Woodgrove shopping centre in Melton West, in Melbourne’s west, shortly before midday.
Paramedics performed CPR, but despite their best efforts, he died at the scene.
A 15-year-old boy from Melton West was arrested later on Tuesday and spent the night being interviewed by detectives.
He has since been charged with one count of murder.
Police say the boy and Oscar knew each other but insist no links have been established with youth gangs in the western suburbs.
Photos shared on Instagram show some of Oscar’s friends posing with giant machetes.
Oscar (pictured) was allegedly stabbed at the outdoor food court at Woodgrove Shopping Centre in Melton West, Melbourne’s west, shortly before midday.
Others have reposted the hashtags ‘#stopyouthcrime #stopyouthknifecrime #knivesdown’ on their Instagram Stories (pictured)
Oscar’s girlfriend left a message urging teens to ‘stop carrying guns’ after her boyfriend’s death on her Instagram bio (pictured)
Others have reposted the hashtags ‘#stopyouthcrime #stopyouthknifecrime #knivesdown’ on their Instagram Stories.
Oscar’s friends also re-shared his girlfriend’s plea to “Stop carrying guns” on their own Instagram bios.
Ms Hibbert has set up a public Facebook group to commemorate Oscar, whom she described as a “beautiful soul who I was lucky enough to call my boyfriend”.
“It was never meant to end this way, but I guess heaven needed you more than us,” she continued.
“No one will ever get over this. You filled everyone’s lives with so much light and joy. You never failed to bring a smile to people’s faces.
Police say Oscar’s mother has been assisting investigators, who have since obtained CCTV footage of the alleged murder (pictured is the 16-year-old).
Photos shared on Instagram show some of Oscar’s friends posing with giant machetes
“Life will never be the same without you. My heart will always hurt knowing you’re gone.
“I will never forgive whoever did this to you. We will do you justice, don’t worry.
“Everyone was so lucky to have you in their lives. This world was too cruel to your beautiful soul.”
Oscar’s mother is understood to have dropped him off at the shopping centre before he was allegedly stabbed “several times” outside La Porchetta, opposite the school holiday canteens.
Police say Oscar’s mother has been assisting investigators, who have since obtained CCTV footage of the alleged murder.
Police are yet to recover the weapon allegedly used.
Oscar’s father, Steven Hamilton, released a statement on behalf of the family to The Age, saying his family’s world had been “shattered”.
Tributes have poured in for the 16-year-old (pictured), described as a “beautiful soul”.
Oscar was allegedly stabbed “several times” outside La Porchetta, in front of a stunned crowd. In the image, witnesses console each other
‘Shattered to pieces by a senseless act that cut short the life of our son and brother, Oscar,’ the statement read.
“Her loss has left a huge void in our hearts and our grief knows no bounds. We ask for space and privacy to get through this incredibly difficult time.”
Oscar’s alleged killer appeared in court on Wednesday and was seen wiping away tears.
No details of the alleged crime were read out in court and the 15-year-old was remanded in custody in January.
His lawyer told the magistrate that it was the first time the 15-year-old had been in custody and that he needed to be assessed by a nurse. He did not apply for bail.
The incident comes just days after a local outlet issued a warning to shoppers about potential “gang” problems at the mall.
“I heard there might be some gang trouble this weekend in Woodgrove,” the woman wrote on Facebook Saturday.
‘I hope that’s not true… Be aware of your surroundings.’