Friends of a 16-year-old boy who was stabbed to death have marched through streets in Melbourne’s west calling for an end to knife crime.
Dozens of friends and schoolmates of Oscar Hamilton stood shoulder to shoulder as they marched from Woodgrove Shopping Centre to the Melton Police Station in his memory.
The 16-year-old was stabbed to death allegedly by a 15-year-old boy at the shopping centre on Tuesday.
Supported by police, the group honouring Oscar weaved through the streets calling for justice and change, chanting “stop knives, save lives”.
Friends described the teenager as a “a big, giant teddy bear” and “one of the best kids”, as a growing wall of floral tributes filled the outdoor area of the shopping centre.
“He never deserved anything like this and he got taken the wrong way, he still had his whole life ahead of him,” friend Airlie told 9News.
“It’s just got to stop otherwise what is the future going to be like for my grandson and my grandchildren,” family friend Terecia Bage said.
While his family did not attend the march, Oscar’s aunt Tracy Hamilton said they were “completely overwhelmed by the outpouring of love”.
She also called for calm after the former home of the alleged attacker was vandalised.
“We all want justice for Oscar but it has to be done through the right channels,” Tracy said.
The emotional crowd consoled each other as they released coloured balloons in a nearby park in the teen’s honour.
