Van Viet Truong died on Wednesday afternoon after being critically injured while trying to help a fellow retail worker stop a group of shoplifting youths outside a shopping strip in Sunshine, in Melbourne’s west, on Saturday. Police allege he was attacked during the incident, which has left local traders mourning and council flags flying at half-mast in his honour.
The Hong Hung Asian Grocery store owner was rushed to hospital after the confrontation and died on Wednesday afternoon, police confirmed on Thursday. Floral tributes outside the Hampshire Road store, which has been a mainstay on the strip for more than two decades, were growing on Thursday afternoon as mourners stopped to pay their respects.
A note on the shop’s roller door said it would be closed until further notice due to an unexpected family emergency.
How are local traders remembering him?
Local traders said Truong was widely known and liked in the area. Julie Tran, whose Vietnamese restaurant Thuan An is doors down from where the street scuffle unfolded, said his death had devastated the strip.
“He was always really friendly to all the businesses. When we walked past his store he’d always say ‘hi’ and smile,” she told AAP.
“His wife and his mother-in-law were always there with him, it was the three of them constantly there running the store.”
The 60-year-old’s passing has also renewed concern among traders who say they have long sought help from the council and state government over rising anti-social behaviour, crime and mental health concerns.
“They could have made a change. It didn’t have to take a person to die for them actually try to push for this further,” Tran said.
Tran said the shopping strip had become a hub for crime and anti-social behaviour since she opened her restaurant 18 years ago.
“We’re here to make a living. We shouldn’t have to be on edge every time we go to work,” she said.
What charges have been laid?
Three boys aged 12, 13 and 15 and two 14-year-old girls were charged with a series of assault-related offences including affray, violent disorder and intentionally causing serious injury. Charges against the 13-year-old boy have since been withdrawn, while the four other youths were remanded to appear before a children’s court at a later date.
Detectives will consider upgrading charges following Truong’s death.
What do the latest crime figures show?
Crime in the Brimbank council area is at its highest rate in six years and is almost nine per cent higher than the Victorian average, recent Crime Statistics Agency figures show. Traders fear round-the-clock police patrols in Melbourne’s west following the attack could be only a short-term fix.
Laverton MP Sarah Connolly and new police minister Paul Edbrooke met with traders on Wednesday to hear their concerns.
How has the council responded?
Brimbank City Council mayor Virginia Tachos described Truong as a pillar of the community, a generous supporter and a kind friend. The council will continue to lobby the state government for a sustained increase in police numbers, Tachos said.
Council flags are flying at half-mast in honour of the good Samaritan who died days after the alleged attack.
Angered traders have long called for help from the council and state government in addressing rising anti-social behaviour, crime and mental health concerns.
Key Facts
- Van Viet Truong died on Wednesday afternoon after being critically injured on Saturday in Sunshine.
- Police allege he was attacked while helping a retail worker stop shoplifting youths.
- Three boys aged 12, 13 and 15 and two 14-year-old girls were charged; charges against the 13-year-old boy have been withdrawn.
- Crime in the Brimbank council area is at its highest rate in six years and almost nine per cent above the Victorian average.
- Laverton MP Sarah Connolly and new police minister Paul Edbrooke met traders on Wednesday.
