Esther Lauaki
0311Solomone
The Age
The brother of slain Melbourne teenager Solomone Taufeulungaki has welcomed the news that 11 people have been charged his brother’s murder but says nothing will bring him back.
Two 13-year-old boys were among the people charged last Thursday, more than four months after Solomone was fatally stabbed outside Brimbank Shopping Centre in Melbourne’s western suburbs.
The 15-year-old was allegedly set upon in the shopping centre car park, across the road from the Mormon church he attended, about 4pm on June 16. Emergency services were called but he died at the scene.
The 11 males charged over his death were previously charged with offences including violent disorder and affray in relation to the incident.
Those charges have now been upgraded to murder.
“All I can say is that justice has been served,” Solomone’s elder brother, Taani Taufeulungaki, said in relation to the new charges.
“Nothing will ever bring my little brother Solomone back,” he said. “This is all for Solo”.
Solomone’s parents said they forgave those who killed their son.
“They didn’t know what they doing … [they’re] still young,” said father ‘Atunaisa Taufeulungaki.
“I wish they can feel love from us,” his mother Salome told Nine News.
Ms Taufeulungaki said Solomone was now in “our Saviour’s hands”.
Police previously said they believed the Deer Park brawl had broken out between members of rival western suburbs groups, who called themselves the Brotherhood 97 gang and VB gang.
Those charged included six teenagers from St Albans aged 13, 14, 15, two 16-year-olds and a 17-year-old, a 15-year-old from Burnside Heights, a 13-year-old from Hoppers Crossing and a 16-year-old from Kings Park.
A 23-year-old man from Hoppers Crossing and 20-year-old Sunshine man, who are both held at a correctional facility, were also charged with murder.
The nine teens will appear at a children’s court on December 1, while the two adults will face Melbourne Magistrates Court on November 25.
