Three young people charged over an alleged group attack in Melbourne’s west that preceded the death of Sunshine grocer Van Viet Truong have been granted bail, while a fourth teenager charged with manslaughter remains in custody.
The Children’s Court heard on Friday that Mr Truong, 60, suffered severe head injuries during the incident outside his Hampshire Road business last Saturday. He remained in hospital for several days before dying on Wednesday.
The allegations have prompted grief across Sunshine, where Mr Truong had operated Hong Hung Asian Grocery with his wife for almost three decades and was widely regarded as a familiar local figure.
Three youths released under strict conditions
A 12-year-old boy and two 14-year-old girls face charges including affray, violent disorder, intentionally causing serious injury and intentionally causing injury. All three have now been released on bail after spending several days on remand.
Judge Lesley Fleming imposed strict curfews and ordered the three not to contact one another. Their cases are due to return to court later this month.
A 15-year-old boy charged with manslaughter remains in custody. Prosecutors sought additional time to prepare evidence when the teenager appeared by video link from Cherry Creek Youth Justice Centre.
Charges of affray and intentionally causing injury against a 13-year-old boy are expected to be withdrawn, the court heard.
None of the allegations against the young people has been proven. Their identities are protected because they are children appearing before the court.
Court hears of intervention outside shops
According to the prosecution account presented in court, the incident began after a group allegedly stole clothing from a store near Mr Truong’s grocery shop. Mr Truong and two other men are alleged to have intervened.
Prosecutors said the group then turned on the three men. The court heard that Mr Truong was allegedly dragged to the ground and struck his head on concrete, while witnesses pleaded for the attack to stop.
Police found him with critical head injuries. He was taken to hospital and placed in an induced coma, but medical staff later determined that his injuries could not be survived. Relatives travelled from Vietnam to be at his bedside before his death.
The court was also told that police obtained approval to collect DNA samples from five youths following the incident. Whether those samples can be used as part of the investigation is expected to be considered later this month.
Community mourns long-time grocer
Flowers and tributes have been left outside Mr Truong’s shop as residents and neighbouring traders remember a man they say acted to help others. Friends and local business owners have described him as courageous.
Mr Truong was a grandfather and had two children. He and his wife had run their grocery business for nearly 30 years, and he had reportedly been preparing to retire.
Victorian Premier Ben Carroll visited the area and paid tribute to Mr Truong, telling one of his loved ones that he “deserved better”.
The case will now proceed through the youth justice system as investigators continue gathering evidence. Bail decisions determine whether an accused person remains in custody before trial; they are not findings about guilt or innocence.
Further court appearances expected
The three bailed youths are scheduled to appear again later in August. The court will also continue dealing with the manslaughter charge against the 15-year-old boy and questions surrounding the evidence collected by police.
For Mr Truong’s family and Sunshine’s business community, the legal process follows a week of profound loss. Authorities have not announced any final determination about the circumstances of his death beyond the charges currently before the court.
