Six charged after armed brawl outside Sydney home, police say
Weapons seized as investigations continue into a suburb attack that followed a shopping-centre dispute
Sydney — a large group armed with hammers, baseball bats and other implements descended on a suburban home in Sydney's southwest on Saturday evening after an argument at a shopping centre, NSW Police said. Six people have been charged in connection with the melee outside a home on Oberon Road in Ruse.
Officers responded at about 5:40 p.m. after reports that the group, which included individuals armed with hammers, baseball bats, metal poles, shovels and a hatchet, were involved in a brawl outside the residence. Disturbing video footage shows the group bashing several cars, hurling a children's bike and, prosecutors say, striking a 35-year-old man in the back of the head with a hammer. The man suffered a fractured skull and was taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition. A 15-year-old boy was also taken to hospital with minor injuries.
NSW Police said officers later attended a home on Seddon Place in Campbelltown, about 6 p.m., and arrested three men — ages 18, 20 and 57. The 18-year-old was charged with two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm in the company of others, along with destroy or damage property and affray. The 57-year-old was charged with affray and two counts of destroy or damage property. Both were refused bail and faced Parramatta Local Court on Sunday. The 20-year-old was charged with affray and granted conditional bail; he fronted Campbelltown Local Court on Monday.
Also on Saturday, police attended a home on Hillview Street in Narrellan and arrested a 15-year-old boy and two 17-year-old boys. The 15-year-old was charged with affray, common assault and two counts of destroy or damage property. One of the 17-year-olds was charged with affray and destroy or damage property and was refused bail ahead of a Children's Court hearing on Monday, September 29. The other 17-year-old was charged with affray and two counts of common assault and was granted bail.
Authorities said numerous weapons alleged to have been used in the offence have been seized and will be forensically examined as investigations continue.