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 crime gangs.
Oscar Hamilton was allegedly murdered just before midday on Wednesday in the outdoor food court of the Woodgrove Shopping Centre, in Melton West, in Melbourne’s west.
After his death, his heartbroken friends 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 hoodies with the teenager’s face on them as they staged a ceremonial walk in solidarity against knife violence ahead of any weekend incidents.
‘Long Live Oscar’ and ‘Justice For Oscar’ were written on the front of the black hoodies.
The back carried a poignant message for Melbourne’s troubled youth, who continue to use knives to settle scores.
“Stop The Violence,” the message read, with a smiling photo of Oscar above it.
Oscar’s friends embarked on a walk together from the shopping center to Melton police station on Friday, where they called for an end to knife violence and a reformed criminal justice system.
Oscar Hamilton’s friends call for an end to knife violence
Oscar (pictured) was allegedly stabbed last week in the outdoor food court of the Woodgrove Shopping Centre, in Melton West, in Melbourne’s west
They were joined by complete strangers, who joined in a moving singalong 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 participating, posting on social media: ‘Everyone looks great in their hoodies.
“Oscar would have loved them too.”
Family member Sherry Faye added, “You did a fantastic job with all your friends yesterday. I was so proud to walk in honor of Oscar.
‘It was so beautiful – thank you. Oscar will always remain in your heart. The monument is simply amazing. So many people love him.
‘He will fly high forever 16.’
At the memorial, a representative of Oscar’s family called for calm and to remember him as ‘a beautiful boy’, The era reported.
“Today this is about Oscar,” she told the audience. “It’s about that beautiful 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 suspect that the incident took place during an argument between the two.
Stop the Violence: Oscar’s friends spread the word so his death isn’t in vain
Others reposted the hashtags ‘#stopyouthcrime #stopyouthknifecrime #knivesdown’ on their Instagram Stories (pictured)
In the wake of the death, Ms Hibbert changed her Instagram bio to urge the young couple’s friends to ‘stop carrying guns’.
Photos shared on Instagram showed some of Oscar’s friends posing with giant machetes.
Others reposted the hashtags “#stopyouthcrime #stopyouthknifecrime #knivesdown” on their Instagram Stories.
Friends of Oscar also reshared his girlfriend’s plea to “stop carrying guns” on their own Instagram bios.
Ms Hibbert has set up a public Facebook group to remember Oscar, who she described as a “beautiful soul who I was fortunate to call my friend”.
“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 managed to put a smile on the faces.
Oscar was reportedly stabbed to death in full view of witnesses
In photos shared on Instagram, some of Oscar’s friends are seen posing with giant machetes
‘Life will never be the same without you. My heart will forever ache knowing you are gone.
‘I will never forgive whoever did this to you. We will get you justice, don’t worry.
“Everyone was so lucky to have you in their lives. This world was too cruel for your beautiful soul.”
It’s understood Oscar’s mother dropped him off at the mall before he was reportedly stabbed ‘several times’ outside La Porchetta before school holiday dinners.
It is clear that the weapon allegedly used has not yet been recovered by the police.