Eight teenagers have appeared in court charged with murder as community leaders and the family of Jongkuch Peter Kur Jongkuch Achieu call for peace following the 21-year-old’s death.
Police were called to Discovery Boulevard, Bahrs Scrub, about 2.15am on Sunday 26 July following reports of a large disturbance involving a group of people.
Officers found several vehicles and a nearby residence significantly damaged before being directed to Orchard Avenue, where Mr Jongkuch was found unconscious with serious head injuries.
The Redbank Plains man was taken to Princess Alexandra Hospital in a critical condition but died from his injuries on Saturday 1 August.
Police allege the group subsequently charged had armed themselves and travelled to Bahrs Scrub under a “preconceived plan” to harm people at the address.
Four men aged 18 and 19 were charged with murder on August 6 after more than 80 officers executed 14 search warrants across the Logan, South Brisbane and Ipswich police districts.
Three 18-year-old men and a 17-year-old boy were arrested at short-term accommodation in Morayfield on Sunday 9 August and also charged with murder.
A 22-year-old man was separately charged with contravening an order to provide information necessary to access electronically stored material.
The seven adults accused of murder are expected to return to Brisbane Magistrates Court on August 24, while the 17-year-old’s case is before Brisbane Children’s Court.
Detective Inspector Ian Galpin confirmed the Organised Crime Gangs Group had assisted the investigation but did not confirm whether the alleged attack was gang-related.
Community representatives have urged people not to treat the alleged actions of individuals as representative of African-Australians more broadly.
Queensland African Communities Council president Beny Bol told the ABC the incident should not be viewed as a cultural issue.
“We don’t want to see incidents like this as a cultural issue or incident, it should be seen as an individual action,” Mr Bol said.
“This is about individuals taking wrong choices and action and they must be held accountable.”
Mr Jongkuch’s father, Peter Jongkuch, told The Courier-Mail his family wanted action to prevent another family enduring the same loss.
“I have lost my eldest son,” he said. “We need a peaceful community without violence.”
Biong Community Global described Mr Jongkuch’s death as “a life cut far too short, and a loss felt profoundly by all who knew and loved him”.
Police have also credited residents and community leaders with helping investigators and reducing tensions.
Detective Inspector Galpin said community cooperation had been “nothing short of amazing”, adding that everyone police had spoken to wanted “nothing but peace within their community”.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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