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A young individual has been detained, and authorities are actively searching for at least one more suspect following the tragic incident where a 17-year-old boy was allegedly fatally stabbed near a school in Sydney’s north-west.
According to police reports, the teenager was in the company of another person when they were confronted by a group of two or three boys at a reserve near Ironbark Ridge Public School in Beaumont Hills around 4:20 p.m. today.
During the encounter, it is believed that a conversation escalated, leading one of the boys to brandish a knife and allegedly stab the 17-year-old in the thigh.
The suspects reportedly fled the scene, while several female witnesses in the park immediately contacted emergency services and attempted to provide first aid to the victim.
Sadly, despite the paramedics’ efforts, the boy succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police said a “young person” presented themselves to a police station with their parents about 7pm.
They were placed under arrest and were assisting police with investigations.
One or two other males believed to be in the group have not been found.
Speaking to media tonight, Superintendent Naomi Moore called the event a “senseless” tragedy.
“It’s a tragic situation. I have 17-year-olds at home, this has impacted the core of the community,” she said.
“It is, I have no other words but it’s just tragedy and it’s senseless.”
Moore stressed ongoing investigations were in their infancy. She said she didn’t believe what happened was a random attack but there were no signs to show it was gang-related.
“I don’t believe it was random, I believe there is potentially some connection [between the groups],” she said.
Moore praised the work of the bystanders who tried to save the boy’s life, saying they showed great courage despite potential risk to themselves.
“It would have been a horrifically confronting situation for those people, and I can only praise them for their efforts,” she said.
“It was a potentially dangerous situation they were walking into, but they thought nothing of themselves to go in and render aid.”
Member for Greenway Michelle Rowland said she was “deeply saddened” by the killing, and expressed her condolences for the boy’s family.
“Deeply saddened to learn of the tragic loss of a young life in Rouse Hill this afternoon,” she said in a statement on social media.
“My thoughts and deepest condolences are with the young boy’s family during this extremely difficult time.
“There is no place in our community for these acts of senseless violence, and I know this news will be particularly distressing for local families.”