An 18-year-old man was arrested during a vehicle stop in western Sydney. Photo / NSW Police
An 18-year-old man was arrested during a vehicle stop in western Sydney. Photo / NSW Police
Three teenagers have been charged with murder over a fatal stabbing at the Sydney Royal Easter Show earlier this year.
About 8pm on April 11, emergency services were called to the carnival ride section of the showground after reports of a brawl. Authorities found a 16-year-old boy and a 17-year-old had been stabbed during the melee.
Sadly the older teen, since identified as Uati "Pele" Faletolu, died from his chest wound while being transported to the hospital. He had been taking a break from working on the amusement rides at the time of the brawl.
The 16-year-old boy was treated for a stab wound to his leg and police have confirmed that he has recovered.
Police detained a person at the scene of the brawl, left, forensics pictured dusting a bin for prints at the scene of the stabbing. Photos / NCA NewsWire
On Saturday, Homicide Squad detectives announced they have arrested two 18-year-old males and a 14-year-old boy in relation to the altercation.
The first 18-year-old was arrested at a home in Shalvey in Blacktown at 6.30pm on July 9 and charged with murder.
He appeared in Parramatta Children's Court the following day and was denied bail. He will remain behind bars on remand until his next court appearance on July 18.
Around 5pm on July 13, police and specialist squads arrested a second 18-year-old male at Schofields Train Station in Sydney's west.
He was charged with murder and refused bail. He will remain in custody on remand until he appears in Burwood Local Court on September 7.
One teen was arrested in the evening, left, and a handcuffed teen on the side of the road after a vehicle stop. Photos / NSW Police
Further inquiries led to the arrest of a third teen on Friday. The 14-year-old was arrested by investigators in Arndell Park in Blacktown on July 15 and also charged with murder.
He was also refused bail and he will face a children's court on Saturday.
State crime commander and acting assistant commissioner, Jason Weinstein, hailed the arrests as the result of a lengthy and difficult police investigation.
"From the outset, police were met with a wall of silence from associates of those involved and undertook a painstaking investigative process to reach this point," he said.
"This and other recent acts of knife crime that we've seen were senseless acts of violence which have had devastating consequences for victims, their families, and also those allegedly responsible."
Homicide Squad detectives made several appeals for public assistance during their ongoing investigation, including releasing CCTV footage from the night in question.
Police believed showgoers seen in the footage may have seen or filmed the fatal brawl.
Uati "Pele" Faletolu, 17, was stabbed in the chest at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. Photo / Supplied
Deputy Premier and Minister for Police Paul Toole praised police for their persistence and said the arrests showed violence will not be tolerated.
"This was a shocking incident that played out publicly at one of Sydney's most popular family events," Toole said.
"This breakthrough clearly shows that it doesn't matter how long it takes, and no matter what obstacles police face, their investigations remain ongoing."
