Flowers are being laid at the scene of a teen’s stabbing death behind a high school as a 15-year-old boy faces court for the alleged murder.
The alleged victim, a boy aged 17, died from stab wounds to his thigh after a confrontation at a park in Sydney’s northwest about 4.20pm on Monday.
About three hours later, the younger boy arrived at a police station with a parent, police say.
He was later charged with murder and is due to face court on Tuesday.
The alleged stabbing occurred in a reserve area, close to several high schools and within sight of multiple people who were walking nearby.
Authorities remained at the scene on Tuesday.
Locals were seen in the area on Tuesday morning, with some laying flowers in honour of the deceased.
Police said those involved in Monday’s confrontation were not from the nearby school and officers believe it was not a random attack.
Several female witnesses who were in the park at the time rushed over to give aid to the victim.
Paramedics were called to the scene, but the teen died soon after.
“It would have been a horrifically confronting situation for those people and I can only praise them for their efforts,” Detective Superintendent Naomi Moore told reporters on Monday evening.
“It was a potentially dangerous situation they were walking into, but they thought nothing of themselves to go in and render aid.”
NSW Premier Chris Minns sent his condolences to the teenage boy’s family and friends.
“I am deeply saddened by the death of a teenage boy at Rouse Hill and extend my sincere condolences to his family and friends,” he said in a statement.
“It is an unimaginable loss, and the whole community will feel the impact.”
Local federal MP Michelle Rowland said she was deeply saddened by the incident.
“There is no place in our community for these acts of senseless violence, and I know this news will be particularly distressing for local families,” she said.
The 15-year-old boy has been refused bail to appear in a children’s court on Tuesday.
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