'I saw everything': Teen recalls cousin's horrific stabbing death
A young girl has revealed the moment she witnessed her cousin’s horrific stabbing death in an emotional interview on the Today show.
Aki Faiva was walking with Solomone Taufeulungaki, 15, at Brimbank Shopping Centre in Deer Park, in Melbourne’s west, on Tuesday afternoon when they were approached by a group of boys.
Aki, 14, detailed what led up to the moment her cousin was allegedly stabbed and how he told her to “run”.
“I was walking with him near the library and then we heard a group of boys run towards us. So then he told me, ‘run Aki, run Aki’. I ran across the street to the church and then they got him and that’s when he got beat up,” she told the Today show.
When host Allison Langdon asked Aki if she saw what happened, she said “I saw everything”.
The young girl said she was sad and devastated and believed the fight broke out after the group was talking about something related to social media.
She described Solomone as a “really kind” person.
“Solomone was a really good child. He came to church every Sunday, he was very humble, loving, caring,” she said.
“He always protected me even when I didn’t want him to be there. He always looked out for me. He was really funny.”
When Langdon asked if she had a message for those responsible for the alleged attack, Aki struggled to get any words out before the host ended the interview.
Solomone’s family ‘doesn’t want revenge’
On Wednesday, his parents Antunaisa and Salome Taufeulungaki visited the scene of his death opposite the family's place of worship, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
"Every Sunday my son come to this church. I believe maybe every Sunday his spirit (will) join with us in this true church," Mr Taufeulungaki told reporters.
As for those behind his son's death, he said: "We love them. We need to send love to their parents."
Solomone's mother said the family doesn't want revenge.
"We want our son back home," she said.
On Wednesday night, mourners continued to gather at the site, which has become a makeshift shrine to the teenager, to sing hymns and leave flowers, balloons and notes.
A GoFundMe page has also been set up to help the family pay for the funeral of the "caring, kind, selfless and humble soul" and has so far raised more than $39,000.
Six boys, aged 13 to 16, faced a Children's Court on Wednesday night charged with violent disorder and affray in connection with the incident.
Three were released on bail with strict conditions including a curfew.
The magistrate indicated a possibility that more people could be charged over Solomone's death.
No one has been charged with directly causing his death.
With AAP
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