DistantNews
Support us
🇦🇺 Australia /Crime & Justice

Sunshine shop owner dies from alleged assault injuries

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Van Viet Truong, owner of Hong Hung Asian Grocery, has died from injuries sustained in an alleged group assault last Saturday.
  • Truong, 60, was reportedly intervening in an attempted robbery at a nearby store when he was attacked by five youths aged 12 to 15.
  • Police are considering upgrading charges against the five youths, who were initially charged with affray and other offenses.

A Sunshine grocery store owner has died days after allegedly being attacked by a group of teenagers while intervening in an attempted robbery. Van Viet Truong, 60, passed away on Thursday morning from injuries he sustained last Saturday.

Police said Truong, who owned Hong Hung Asian Grocery for nearly 30 years with his wife, came to the aid of a fellow store owner who was allegedly being robbed by five youths. The youths, aged between 12 and 15, have already been charged with affray, violent disorder, intentionally causing serious injury, and intentionally causing injury.

Victoria Police confirmed they will consider upgrading these charges in light of Truong's death. The community is mourning the loss of a man described by those close to him as "a very friendly and lovely man" who provided excellent service to his customers.

Truong was an active member of the local business community and had recently met with local MP Sarah Connolly to launch a business mentoring program. He had also reportedly been planning to retire and had listed his store for sale last year. His death has intensified calls from traders and community leaders for increased police presence and extended station hours to ensure local safety.

a very friendly and lovely man

— Relatives and close associates of Van Viet TruongDescribing the victim's character and service to customers.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog