TWO boys, aged 15 and 16, have been arrested and charged with the murder of a 20-year-old man at Underwood early Friday morning.
Police executed a search warrant at a Mount Gravatt East address late Friday afternoon, where a 15-year-old local boy was arrested.
A short time later a 16-year-old Logan boy was arrested at a Millaroo Drive, Helensvale shopping centre, where police also recovered a black Audi sedan which was the subject of an earlier appeal in the centre’s carpark.
The car has been impounded by police.
The boys were taken into custody without incident and were overnight charged with one count each of murder (child under 18).
The 15-year-old boy was also charged with one court of fail to provide access to data (electronics).
The 16-year-old boy was also charged with possessing marijuana.
South Eastern Regional Crime Co-ordinator Detective Superintendent Brendan Smith said the circumstances of the alleged murder were both harrowing and confronting for the victim’s family, community, and first responders alike.
“Investigators have worked around the clock to apprehend this pair and bring them before the courts,” he said.
“Our thoughts remain with the victim’s family who are reeling from this extremely traumatic incident where we allege a young man of just 20 (years old) has been senselessly lost to violence.
“The young ages of the pair in custody is certainly confronting and the community rightfully denounces this type of lethal violence and police stand with them in condemning this alleged horrific act.”
Detective Superintendent Smith addressed speculation and community concerns the alleged murder was gang related.
“After running out extensive inquiries, I am satisfied this incident has no connection to organised crime or gang activity,” he said.
“I’d like to renew the call for witnesses, especially those with dashcam vision or CCTV of the incident to come forward and encourage anyone else with information to make contact with police, noting anonymous reports could be made.
“In particular, we are seeking footage of the black Audi sedan bearing Queensland Registration 448GF5 with a distinctive off-centre front number plate hanging at an angle travelling from around 7am between QEII Hospital on the Cnr of Kessels and Troughton Roads, Coopers Plains up to 4pm to a Millaroo Drive, Helensvale shopping centre.
“Every piece of information helps investigators, no matter how small or insignificant you may feel it is.”
Investigators were initially called just after 1am, Friday February 24 to Fermont Road following reports a man had been stabbed.
On arrival officers located a 20-year-old man unresponsive.
Police and emergency services attempted to assist the man, but he died at the scene.
