Matt “Shirvo” Shirvington was visibly emotional as he discussed the stabbing death of a woman who was killed in front of her six-year-old granddaughter.
Tributes have been paid to 70-year-old Vyleen White after she was stabbed to death in the underground car park of a shopping center on Saturday evening.
She had gone to Town Square Redbank Plains Shopping Centre, in Brisbane’s south-west, to get groceries at about 6.10pm when she was killed.
Police have released CCTV images of four people they want to speak to about Ms White’s death.
The footage showed the four boys traveling in Ms White’s blue 2009 Hyundai Getz, which was believed to have been stolen by the knifeman and later found abandoned in Springfield Lakes.
Tributes have been paid to 70-year-old Vyleen White after she was stabbed to death in the underground car park of a shopping center on Saturday evening.
The group was seen getting out of the vehicle and walking quietly down the street.
Shirvington and co-host Natalie Barr were joined by Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding on Sunrise on Monday morning, where they discussed the chilling nature of the CCTV.
“Like you said, they casually walked out of that stolen car as if nothing had happened. Vyleen White is dead after this moment,” Shirvington said, clearly saddened by what had happened.
“Look at these thugs, they’re not even men. They are criminals. As if nothing happened. They just walk out. Meanwhile, Vyleen is dead in a mall.
“Like any other grandmother trying to help her family, she’s taking care of her six-year-old granddaughter while running errands at six at night, and she’s been killed because of her car!
‘And look at them walking away like it’s nothing! They have to catch these men. It has to stop.’
Shirvington and co-host Natalie Barr were joined by Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding on Sunrise on Monday morning, where they discussed the chilling nature of the CCTV footage of the persons of interest.
A bystander, Ademola Afolabi, who is also an off-duty doctor, rushed to Ms White after the attack but was unable to save the 70-year-old.
“I immediately called Triple-0, and not long after I did compressions for about a minute, but there was no response,” Afolabi said. Seven news.
“It’s painful for a little girl to witness that, she won’t forget it.”
Ms Harding said the community was in a ‘state of shock’ as residents have since suffered a petition to conduct regular police patrols in the mall.
The petition has so far generated more than 2,300 signatures.
“We no longer feel safe going to the stores or simply enjoying the public spaces in our own neighborhoods,” wrote Taylah Jefferson, who launched the petition.
She said crime in Redbank Plains has tripled in the past three years, according to the Queensland Government’s Crime Map data.
Police have released CCTV images of four men who they believe could assist their investigation
From February 2023 to February 2024, 3,420 violations were reported to the police, including assault, theft and vandalism.
“The lack of regular police presence in Town Square has left us feeling vulnerable and fearful for our safety,” Ms Jefferson said.
One person commented on the petition, saying locals should feel safe when they go out to get their groceries.
Another said they had recently left their job at the center due to safety concerns.
Ms Harding agreed that a greater police presence was needed in the area.
‘It is the largest shopping area in the area. It is very popular. I shop here regularly. There are great places to eat and great shopping here,” she told Sunrise.
‘It is also a place where the community comes together. I hope the state government listens and mounts a police response here in Redbank Plains.”
The mayor said the community had never been rocked by such a violent act, describing it as a “blow in the guts.”
‘They have to be caught. Not just the murderer, but the accomplices too, and they should be locked up for life,” Ms Harding said.
‘There’s no doubt about that. We need justice, our community needs justice.”
It concerns a 15-year-old boy from Ripley who handed himself in at Ipswich police station at around 9.30 pm on Sunday.
He has been charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle in connection with Ms. White’s allegedly stolen car.
Vyleen White (pictured) was stabbed to death in the underground car park of the Town Square Redbank Plains Shopping Center on Saturday
He is expected to appear at Ipswich Children’s Court on Monday.
The three others captured in the footage are still on the run and investigations continue.
The group is described as possibly a mix of adult and young men who appear to have African appearance.
Investigators are appealing to anyone who saw the group in the Redbank Plains and Springfield Lakes areas between 6pm and 7pm on Saturday to contact police.
Flowers have been left at the scene of the stabbing in Redbank Plains