Friends and family of a 16-year-old boy allegedly stabbed to death in a busy shopping center have sent a heartbreaking message to Melbourne’s youth criminal gangs.
Oscar Hamilton was allegedly murdered in the outdoor food court at Woodgrove shopping centre, in Melton West, in Melbourne’s west, shortly before midday on Wednesday.
In the wake of his death, his devastated classmates are determined to make Oscar’s life and tragic death mean something to other teenagers growing up in the west.
They took to the streets in custom-made sweatshirts with the teenager’s face as they held a solemn walk in solidarity against knife violence ahead of any weekend incidents.
“Long live Oscar” and “Justice for Oscar” were emblazoned on the front of the black sweatshirts.
On the back was a poignant message for Melbourne’s troubled youth, who continue to use knives to settle scores.
‘Stop The Violence’ read the message, with a smiling photo of Oscar on top.
Oscar’s colleagues embarked together on a walk from the shopping center to Melton police station on Friday as they called for an end to knife violence and reform of the criminal justice system.
Oscar Hamilton’s friends call for end to knife violence
Oscar (pictured) was allegedly stabbed in the outdoor food court at Woodgrove Shopping Centre, in Melton West, in Melbourne’s west, last week.
They were joined by complete strangers, who sang movingly in a local park and released green, blue and black balloons in honor of the tragic teenager.
Oscar’s girlfriend, Briannan Hibbert, thanked everyone for joining and posted on social media: “Everyone looks great in their hoodies.”
“Oscar would have loved them too.”
Her relative Sherry Faye added: ‘You did an amazing job yesterday with all your friends. I was very proud to walk in honor of Oscar.
‘It was so beautiful – thank you. Oscar will always be in your heart. The monument is simply wonderful. Many people love him.
‘He’ll be flying high forever 16.’
At the commemorative event, a representative of Óscar’s family called for calm and to remember him as ‘a beautiful child’. The age reported.
“Today is about the Oscar,” he told the crowd. “It’s about that beautiful little boy we all know…not the person who did this.”
A 15-year-old boy, who cannot be identified due to his age, has been charged with one count of murder.
Police believe the incident occurred during an argument between the couple.
Stop the violence: Óscar’s friends spread the message so that his death is not in vain
Others have reposted the hashtags ‘#stopyouthcrime #stopyouthknifecrime #knivesdown’ on their Instagram Stories (pictured)
In the wake of the death, Hibbert changed his Instagram bio to urge the young couple’s peers to “stop carrying weapons.”
Photos shared on Instagram showed some of Oscar’s colleagues posing with giant machetes.
Others have reposted the hashtags ‘#stopyouthcrime #stopyouthknifecrime #knivesdown’ on their Instagram Stories.
Oscar’s friends also reshared his girlfriend’s request to “stop carrying guns” in their own Instagram bios.
Hibbert has created 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 it needed us,” he continued.
‘No one will ever get over this. You filled everyone’s lives with so much light and joy. You never failed to make faces smile.
Oscar was allegedly stabbed to death in front of witnesses
Photos shared on Instagram show some of Oscar’s colleagues posing with giant machetes
‘Life will never be the same without you. My heart will always ache knowing you are gone.
‘I will never forgive whoever did this to you. We are going to get you justice, don’t worry.
‘Everyone was very lucky to have you in their lives. This world was too cruel for your beautiful soul.
It is understood Oscar’s mother left him at the shopping center before he was allegedly stabbed “several times” outside La Porchetta, opposite the school holiday restaurants.
It is understood police are yet to recover the weapon allegedly used.
