Youths Charged in Fatal Sunshine Attack Granted Bail; Victim Died in Induced Coma

Three youths accused in the alleged fatal bashing of a Sunshine grandfather have been granted bail, as a court heard the shop owner spent his final days in an induced coma. Van Viet Truong, 60, died on Wednesday from injuries sustained in an alleged attack on Saturday.

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there were three victims

Initially, five youths were charged over the assault. A 12-year-old boy and two 14-year-old girls, facing charges including affray and intentionally causing serious injury, were bailed in a children's court. A 15-year-old boy charged with manslaughter remains in custody. Charges against a fourth 13-year-old boy are expected to be dropped.

Judge Lesley Fleming imposed strict curfews on the bailed youths and ordered them not to contact each other. One teenager appeared via video link from a youth justice center as prosecutors requested two months to prepare their evidence. Police have seized DNA samples from the five youths, with their admissibility to be determined later this month.

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all co-accused turned on Truong and attacked him

Mr. Truong, the owner of Hong Hung Asian Grocery, reportedly intervened when the group of youths attempted to steal clothes from another shop. Prosecutors stated that Mr. Truong and two other men, who also tried to stop the theft, were targeted. Witnesses allegedly heard a "cracking sound" as Mr. Truong was dragged to the ground and hit his head on the concrete. They reportedly begged the youths to stop before a member of the group yelled "run."

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cracking sound

Found with severe head injuries, Mr. Truong was rushed to hospital in an induced coma, where his injuries were deemed unsurvivable. He spent five days in hospital before his death, with relatives traveling from Vietnam to be by his side. Friends and business owners have hailed him as a courageous hero, and locals left flowers outside his store. Premier Ben Carroll also paid tribute to the "good Samaritan."

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run, run