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Monday's Final Word
Thirteen men have been arrested after a 24-year-old man was ambushed and stabbed to death in a ‘likely’ case of mistaken identity.
Lino Atem, 24, was attacked in the carpark of Haines Drive Reserve in Wyndham Vale on Melbourne’s western fringe, about 11.30pm on January 10.
After a two-month investigation, Victoria Police executed a series of search warrants across Melbourne early on Tuesday morning and arrested 13 males aged between 15 and 23.
While the motivation for the attack is still unknown, police believe it was a case of mistaken identity.
The arrests came after Lino’s father said he needs ‘justice immediately’.
‘I’m waiting for the government and police to catch these people,’ he said in January.
‘When I wake up and see the news I cry again, me and my son. We cry this morning about Lino. He do everything for me. Try to help me’.
The young tradie was hanging out with friends on a Friday night when they were ambushed by at least a dozen males armed with ‘edged weapons’.
Lino Atem, 24, was allegedly attacked in the carpark of Haines Drive Reserve in Wyndham Vale, in Melbourne’s west, about 11.30pm on January 10
Pictured is where the 24-year-old was stabbed to death during the violent brawl
Lino suffered stab wounds and died at the scene, just 100m from his home, weeks away from celebrating his 25th birthday.
He worked as a bricklayer and was a talented basketball player who idolised NBA superstar LeBron James.
Detective Acting Inspector Adam Shoesmith said any small detail passed on by the public could make an ‘enormous difference’ to the case.
‘While we believe this incident was targeted, there is nothing to indicate why the group was attacked and police believe it is likely a case of mistaken identity,’ Det Shoesmith said.
‘We can’t imagine how difficult it must be for the Atem family knowing there are people out there who could help solve this and hold their loved one’s killers to account, and yet they are choosing not to.’
It was another tragedy for a family already mourning the killing of Lino’s oldest brother Atem Atem, who was shot at the family’s Wyndham Vale home in February 2023.
A friend, 22, who was at the home at the time died from injuries.
The family dog was also killed.
Lino’s father (pictured in January) said he needs ‘justice immediately’ for his son’s death
Lino Atem (pictured) worked as a bricklayer and was a talented basketball player who idolised NBA superstar LeBron James
At this stage, police said there is nothing to indicate the brothers’ deaths are linked.
Two cars were also seized during the search warrants on Tuesday.
All 13 men will now be interviewed by police.
