UPDATE: A second victim who may have witnessed the bashing death of a man in Caroline Springs on Saturday is still missing.
Police are yet to confirm the identity of the dead man, believed to be in his late 20s, who was killed inside a house in Caroline Springs after a fight involving baseball bats and metal objects broke out in the street at 3am.
Homicide Squad Detective Sergeant Steve Sheahan said while a small amount of hydroponic equipment – used to grow cannabis – was found in the front room of the Rosella Crescent house, it was too early to say whether the death related to a drug syndicate.
“It could be possible, but at this point in time there’s nothing to point in that direction,” Detective Sergeant Sheahan said on Sunday morning.
He said three men arrived at the house and met two men from the rented property.
“We believe there was two males present in the house prior to the assault which has spilled out onto the street,” he said.
“And then the victim has gone back into the house … and has been assaulted.”
The man died at the scene. The second victim ran away from the house before returning and fleeing in a car. The three assailants got into a dark grey, four-door sedan and fled.
“This is what I believe to be a targeted assault,” Detective Sergeant Sheahan said.
“We believe the [deceased] male has received significant head injuries caused by blunt trauma.
“It’s a possibility that some sort of bat or pole may have been used.”
Police were hoping the second victim would present at one of the city’s hospitals overnight after drops of blood were found at the scene, but Detective Sergeant Sheahan said they were yet to locate him.
“Our main focus is on the victim, ensuring his safety, ensuring his well-being and asking him to come forward to assist with our investigation. We’re here to help him,” he said.
A forensic team yesterday searched neighbouring properties, but did not find the weapon used in the assault. The baseball bats and metal objects seen when the fight broke out have not been located.
But what was found was a small knife that investigators believe was not used in the assault.
“However, it does have apparent blood staining on it and it is involved in some way but we still don’t know why it’s out in the street. It may have been used by the victim in defence,” Detective Sergeant Sheahan said.
A woman living next door to the victim declined to comment, saying she was “a bit traumatised”.
Another neighbour, Chris Scerri, said his wife heard a vehicle speeding away.
“My wife heard a car last night speed off at a rapid speed, very fast. She was laying in bed with the little one and she just heard the car.
“We got a call from one of our neighbours up the top there – they were on holidays – and they’ve been noticing a guy has been walking up and down the street in the last couple of days.
“It is a bit scary.”
Passersby, many of them young families cycling or walking their dogs, were shocked to see SES crews combing a nearby playground and parkland along Kororoit Creek.
One small boy asked his father what the people were looking for and he replied: “They’re having a treasure hunt”.
Witnesses have given a rough description of the trio involved in the death: two were believed to be aged in their late 20s; one was short and stocky and one was tall. The third was an older male with a grey beard.
Their car was seen driving east on Rosella Crescent with its lights off, before the tail lights came on and it turned right into The Ridge.
Police are asking anyone who saw a dark car acting suspiciously either before or after 3am to contact police.
Detectives are examining CCTV from around the neighbourhood which they say has proved “fruitful” for the investigation. They are urging anyone with security footage to contact them.
Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
This story first appeared in The Age.
