Seven teenagers aged between 14 and 17 have been charged with murder after a 27-year-old man allegedly assaulted during a carjacking in Brisbane’s inner north died in hospital.
Queensland Police said the charges were upgraded on Thursday following the man’s death on August 6. The allegations relate to an incident on Victoria Park Road at Kelvin Grove on the night of July 24.
Police allege late-night assault and vehicle theft
Investigators allege a group of teenagers assaulted the man shortly before 10.30pm and stole his blue 2025 BYD Shark 6. Police and emergency services found him with life-threatening injuries after the group had left the area in the vehicle.
The man was taken to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, where he remained until he was declared dead on August 6. His vehicle was found abandoned the following morning on Barter Avenue at Holland Park.
Queensland Police established Operation Yankee Axiom after the alleged attack. Detectives from the Brisbane City Child Protection and Investigation Unit and the Homicide Investigations Unit have been working on the case.
Seven murder charges laid
Police said those now charged with murder are a 17-year-old boy from Kelvin Grove; 16-year-old boys from Alderley, Middle Park and East Ipswich; 15-year-olds from Calamvale and Holland Park; and a 14-year-old girl from Kelvin Grove.
The teenagers had previously faced various allegations including grievous bodily harm, robbery in company, assault occasioning bodily harm and dangerous operation of a vehicle. The murder counts were added after the man died.
Two other teenage girls, from Coorparoo and Greenslopes, were charged separately with attempted stealing and attempted robbery in company. Police have not alleged that those two girls are among the seven facing murder charges.
Because the accused are children, their identities have not been published. The murder allegations remain before the courts, and every accused person is presumed innocent unless and until found guilty.
Appeal for dashcam and CCTV footage
Police have renewed their appeal for witnesses and video from several locations and time periods on July 24. Investigators are seeking dashcam or CCTV footage recorded between 9.30pm and 10.30pm on Victoria Park Road in Kelvin Grove, as well as footage from Barter Avenue in Holland Park West between 11.30pm and 11.50pm.
They also want footage from Kelvin Grove Road near the Musk Avenue intersection between 8.10pm and 8.40pm.
Detectives have asked two potential witnesses to contact them. Police stressed that neither driver is believed to have been involved in the alleged offences.
One witness was driving a dark-coloured SUV along Victoria Park Road, Blamey Street and Musk Avenue at about 10.16pm. The other was driving a blue sedan on Carroway Street at its intersection with Victoria Park Road at about the same time.
Investigation remains active
The case moved through several stages as investigators identified and charged suspects in the days after the alleged assault. The first charges were laid on July 25, with further arrests and court proceedings following through late July and early August.
Police say inquiries are continuing despite the upgraded charges. Anyone with relevant information or recordings can contact Policelink through the Queensland Police online reporting service or by calling 131 444. Anonymous information can be provided to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. The police reference is QP2601436962.
The seven teenagers charged with murder were expected to appear before Brisbane Children’s Court. No findings have been made against them.
