Residents and traders in Melbourne’s west have gathered in Sunshine to mourn grocery store owner Van Viet Truong and demand a stronger response to violent crime, including permanent police patrols and changes to Victoria’s bail laws.
About 100 people attended Sunday’s vigil in the Sunshine shopping precinct, according to ABC News. The event followed the death of Mr Truong, 60, who died in hospital last Wednesday after suffering critical injuries during an alleged confrontation involving a group of teenagers near his business.
Community pays tribute to long-time grocer
Mr Truong had operated a grocery store in Sunshine for more than 30 years and was remembered as a familiar figure in the local business community. Police allege he was injured after intervening when teenagers were suspected of stealing clothes from a nearby shop.
The vigil was organised by the Vietnamese Mothers in Australia Community. Residents travelled from other parts of Melbourne and regional Victoria to attend, with speakers describing fear, grief and frustration over safety in the area.
Members of the Australian Vietnamese Refugee National Council also held traditional ceremonies outside Mr Truong’s shop. Council president Phong Nguyen described the shopkeeper as one of the community’s “quiet heroes”, while noting that the formal mourning period should remain focused on Mr Truong and his family.
Flowers and other tributes have been placed outside the store since his death.
Calls for permanent police presence
Brimbank Mayor Virginia Tachos said local traders and council staff were feeling the effects of violent crime and called for the additional police patrols introduced after Mr Truong’s death to become permanent.
The council is also considering better lighting and other security measures. It wants the state’s Community Connector Program, which links young people in public places with services and support, expanded to Sunshine. The program already operates in areas including Dandenong and Frankston.
Sunshine Business Association vice-president John Girardi said business owners wanted faster police responses when minor incidents appeared likely to escalate. He said some retailers had discussed hiring private security, while others had already done so.
Victoria Police said patrol numbers had been increased over the past week and officers would continue providing support and reassurance for as long as needed. Police also said reduced counter hours at some stations in Melbourne’s west allowed more officers to work on the street.
Bail debate enters election campaign
Although organisers promoted the vigil as non-political, calls for tougher bail laws featured prominently. Speakers urged voters to consider community safety when Victoria goes to the polls in November.
Opposition Leader Jess Wilson attended and criticised the government’s approach to crime. Victorian government frontbencher Anthony Carbines said the government would listen to concerns from people in the west and paid tribute to those who step forward to help others.
The political argument comes as criminal proceedings arising from the alleged attack continue through the Children’s Court.
Teenagers remain before the courts
A 15-year-old boy charged with manslaughter remains in custody and is expected to return to court later this month. A 12-year-old boy and two 14-year-old girls charged with offences including affray and intentionally causing serious injury have been released on bail under court-imposed conditions.
Charges against a 13-year-old boy were withdrawn. None of the allegations against the remaining accused has been proven, and their identities are protected because they are children.
The case has intensified discussion about youth crime, bail and policing in Melbourne’s west. For Sunshine’s Vietnamese community and local traders, however, Sunday’s gathering was also an expression of grief for a long-serving shopkeeper whose death has deeply affected the suburb.
