Van Viet Truong, a 60-year-old grocery shop owner, has died after being allegedly attacked by a group of children as young as 12. The incident occurred in Melbourne, Australia, when Truong intervened in a robbery at a nearby shop on Hampshire Road.
Attack and death
Just after 2pm last week, Truong came to the aid of a fellow retail worker who was being robbed. CCTV footage shows him pushing one of the children before being struck in the head. The subsequent events were not captured on camera.
According to Victoria Police, Truong suffered significant head injuries after being struck multiple times and hitting his head on the ground. He was taken to hospital but died on Wednesday afternoon.
Charges and legal proceedings
Three boys aged 12, 13, and 15, along with two 14-year-old girls, were charged with affray, violent disorder, intentionally causing serious injury, and intentionally causing injury. They were remanded to appear before a children's court. However, the 13-year-old boy's charges were withdrawn after further investigation.
Following Truong's death, detectives are considering upgrading the charges. Magistrate Robyn Hamilton had earlier noted that Truong was left in an "unsurvivable situation," stating that it was inevitable the charges would be upgraded. She said the alleged actions had "resulted in the worst possible outcome."
Reactions and bail hearings
One mother pleaded for her 12-year-old son to be granted bail, expressing fears for his mental health and physical safety, but her plea was unsuccessful. Several teens are expected to appear in court again later this week for bail hearings.
Talkback host Jacqui Felgate criticized the government's bail laws, saying that children have been allowed to think actions don't have consequences. She said, "We have allowed children to think that this is OK. That actions don't have consequences and that if you commit a crime you don't go to jail." She also claimed that youth offenders often get bail and know it, and that the government's bail laws are not as tough as claimed.
Victorian state Premier Ben Carroll labelled the attack as "completely unacceptable," stating, "This is terrible what occurred to this gentleman, there's no tolerance for this sort of behaviour. It's awful … it's completely unacceptable." He also said the case should be subject to the state's 'adult time for violent crime' initiative.
