Community leaders have called for calm in the wake of the shooting death of a young rapper in Melbourne’s west.
The death of young rapper Pal Bidong, known as “Peezy”, near a Halloween rave in North Melbourne yesterday morning sparked fears of retribution.
South Sudanese community leader and lawyer Kot Monoah issued a plea to families in the western suburbs.
“The intel is that young people who are friends, close associates and relatives of the deceased obviously are very sad,” Monoah said.
“There is potential for more retaliations.
“We urge for calm so that people don’t take the law into their own hands.”
Monoah linked the killing to an “east versus west” gang feud.
Bidong had no known links to any gangs and those who knew him said he was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Community leader Mamuch Chuol said this was an isolated incident.
“We shouldn’t be pushing an agenda that this is east verses west or this is tribalism,” he said.
“It’s just a group of young boys who have a certain problem.”
Police say there’s no ongoing threat to the community.
Bidong’s death sparked an outburst of violence, with more clashes last night.
A police officer was allegedly attacked as well as a 9News camera operator.
A teenager was arrested over the alleged assault of the police officer but the gunman is still on the run.
