Police reveal family lost second son to violence in case of mistaken identity
Thirteen people, including several teenagers, have been arrested over the stabbing death of 24-year-old Lino Atem, which police now believe was a tragic case of mistaken identity.
Atem, whose oldest brother was shot dead two years ago, died after he and his friends were set upon at a park on Haines Drive in Wyndham Vale in Melbourne’s outer west on the night of January 10.
Lino Atem was attacked in a park in January.Credit: Facebook
A massive police operation involving more than 160 detectives executed warrants across 12 suburbs early on Tuesday with police now interviewing those accused.
Victoria Police Detective Acting Inspector Adam Shoesmith said Lino Atem was simply socialising in the park when he was attacked.
“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,” Victoria Police Detective Acting Inspector Adam Shoesmith said in a statement.
“We know there are people out there who can help us identify those responsible. People who may have been present at the time of the incident, or people who may have heard information about these incidents after the fact. Whatever that information is – police want to hear it.
A forensics officer at the crime scene.Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui
“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.”
The search warrants were in Aintree, Deer Park, Manor Lakes, Sunshine West, Albanvale, Mornington, Werribee, Deanside, Hoppers Crossing, Melton South, Keilor and Braybrook.
