Mourners wore all white, shed tears and shared memories of Dau Akueng at the memorial service held at Resurrection Catholic Church at Kings Park this morning.
The promising basketball player was returning home from training with his 12-year-old friend Chol Achiek in Cobblebank on September 6 when they were allegedly killed in a machete attack streets away from their homes.
Dau’s uncle Akolda Bil described the 15-year-old as someone who “brought joy to everyone around him”.
“It is beyond devastating that his life has been cut from us so short,” he said.
Dau’s cousin Bakhita Chol described the positive impact the teenager had on everyone around him.
”He had a light inside him that drew people in and made them feel special,” Chol said.
The community was left reeling in the wake of the boys’ deaths and tributes remain at the spots where both of the boys died.
Police allege the pair are innocent victims who were caught up in Victoria’s youth crime crisis.
Five teenagers have been charged with the murder of Dau, including a 19-year-old Thornhill man, two 16-year-old boys and two 15-year-old boys.
Three teenagers have been charged with the murder of Chol, including a 19-year-old Caroline Springs man, an 18-year-old Wollert man and a 16-year-old boy.
Police have also increased patrols in the Cobblebank area following the alleged murders.
