By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Fresh details have emerged at a Dandenong court about two youth gangs planning a “retaliation fight” during the White Night festival on 23-24 August.
Police had “strong intelligence” of a planned clash between South-East-based gang Next Gen Shooters (NGS) and a West-based rival Blood Drill Killers at the event in Melbourne CBD, a bail hearing at the court heard.
Sixteen males from the South East were charged over an armed affray in Footscray during police raids on the morning of 20 August.
The charged teenagers were aged between 15-18 from Hallam, Clyde North, Berwick, Cranbourne, Pakenham, Doveton and Dandenong.
Police bailed most of the group, except three who were already on bail at the time
Allegedly among them was Koang Wuordol, 18, of Pakenham, who applied for bail on charges of affray and violent disorder at a Dandenong Magistrates’ Court hearing on 20 August.
Police were opposed to bail due to a lack of compelling reasons, being a flight risk, and an unacceptable risk of re-offending, interfering with witnesses and endangering public safety.
Police say Wuordol was among about 20-plus NGS “African males” who entered through the rear door and forced entry into a second-storey room at a “community cafe” in Barkly Street Footscray about 8.20pm on 31 July.
Armed with sharpened sticks, metal poles and kitchen knives, the group assaulted four occupants in the room and damaged the room, Sen Const Adrian Farano of Taskforce Wayward told the court.
Wuordol’s role in the attack was unknown at this stage, Sen Const Farano said.
The victims, who received injuries, had also refused to co-operate with police.
However, police intelligence suggested that a “retaliation fight” at White Night was planned as a result of the attack, the court heard.
“Our belief is the parties know each other,” Sen Const Farano said.
“It seems to have started from a very small tit-for-tat. Someone’s said something about someone else and it’s grown from there.”
The NGS gang members were linked on social media or from the same schools, he told the court.
“The accused has made considerable effort to travel from one side of Melbourne to the other to take part (in the Footscray affray).”
He said other cafe patrons were “shaken” by the incident and afraid the group would return.
The attackers filmed and live-streamed the incident on social media, with police analysing video from mobile phones seized during the 20 August raids.
Wuordol was on bail at the time for cannabis possession and giving police a false name in Pakenham on 25 July.
He had been bailed on a night curfew, and to not contact the four co-charged associates. All five were later charged over the Footscray affray, the court heard.
Magistrate Tara Hartnett said she would not bail Wuordol without suitable accommodation and Youth Justice supervision.
Wuordol was remanded in custody for a “thorough” Youth Justice assessment and further bail hearing on 21 August.
A 17-year-old from the South East was granted bail on Youth Justice supervision at a children’s court, despite police opposition.
He had already been on bail on charges of affray and assault by kicking over an attack on a lone victim in central Dandenong on 11 May.
On 20 August, a magistrate granted the 17-year-old due to his age, lack of convictions and Youth Justice supervision.
He was granted bail on condition he didn’t associate with the co-charged or contact witnesses.
The teen was ordered onto a night curfew and not to attend Footscray CBD or White Night sites – Carlton Gardens, Treasury Gardens, Birrarung Marr and Melbourne CBD.
About seven NGS gang members were reportedly involved in a stabbing and assault of three males at a Dandenong fish-and-chip shop on 14 August. No arrests have yet been made.
In a media statement, Detective Senior Sergeant Marnie Sheehy, of North West Metro Regional Crime Squad, said police would not tolerate public violent incidents that put the safety of others at risk.
“It’s really concerning to see so many young people facing court on serious charges including affray and violent disorder.
“We can’t forget the impact violent crime has on the rest of the community, it causes an unacceptable level of harm and fear.”
