A group of ten men has been sentenced to life imprisonment after fatally stabbing 19-year-old Girum Mekonnen during an ambush in a Brisbane park on September 13, 2020. The attack involved weapons such as baseball bats and machetes and occurred as Mekonnen attempted to escape from his assailants.
During the sentencing at the Queensland Supreme Court, Justice Lincoln Crowley condemned the defendants for their violent and cowardly actions. “You murdered an unarmed and innocent young man in a gutless group attack,” he stated, describing the attack as brazen and conducted in a public space. The men also faced additional charges related to grievous bodily harm and unlawful wounding against other victims.
The defendants, whose ages range from 22 to 36, include Kresto Wal Wal, Gabreal Wal Wal, Santo Wal, and others. Prosecutor Nathan Crane argued for a lengthier non-parole period of 25 years, but Justice Crowley declined, affirming the mandatory 20-year period for parole eligibility.
The court heard that the motive behind the ambush was revenge for a prior assault against John Wal Wal, a relative of several defendants, just days before Mekonnen’s death. During the attack, the assailants shouted phrases indicating they were avenging their brother. Justice Crowley highlighted that Mekonnen was not involved in the earlier incident and expressed that the attackers showed no regard for who was present at the scene.
Crowley acknowledged the backgrounds of the defendants, noting that many had fled violence in South Sudan or were born in refugee camps. However, he stressed that this did not excuse their premeditated assault. He told them they had brought shame upon themselves and their communities, irrevocably taking a young life while jeopardising their own futures.
As part of the sentencing, it was noted that one of the defendants, Lokolong, would face deportation upon release. The case has highlighted issues of youth violence and community safety in Brisbane, leading to a strong public response regarding accountability for such brutal acts.