A young suspect has been taken into custody following the tragic death of a boy, who was reportedly stabbed behind a school.
First responders, including a CareFlight helicopter, urgently converged on Bruce Purser Reserve, a grassy expanse near Rouse Hill High School in northwest Sydney, around 4:20 PM on Monday.
Despite valiant efforts by paramedics to revive the 17-year-old victim, he was sadly declared deceased at the location.
Witnesses indicate that the victim was clad in a school uniform and suffered a stab wound to the thigh.
NSW Police were alerted to reports of two individuals, apparently teenagers, who were seen allegedly fleeing the scene.
It is believed that one of these individuals was also dressed in a school uniform.
NSW Police said a teenager was arrested after turning themselves into Riverstone Police Station shortly before 7pm. They were accompanied by a parent.
‘He is providing information to us about the circumstances this afternoon,’ Hills Area Commander Superintendent Naomi Moore told reporters on Monday night.
A teenage boy was allegedly stabbed to death behind Rouse Hill High School (pictured, paramedics at the scene)
It’s understood the teenage boy was allegedly stabbed in the thigh (pictured, emergency services at the scene)
‘He is under arrest and assisting with inquiries,’ she added
Superintendent Moore added it was too early to determine if the incident was gang related but investigators believed there was some connection.
‘It’s very early in the investigation, but I will say to you that I don’t believe it was random,’ she said.
‘There is some connection, but that will take some time to draw out.’
She said the stabbed teenager was with another boy and they were allegedly confronted by a separate group of two to three boys.
There is no link to Rouse Hill High School, she confirmed.
A group of females who were in the park witnessed the attack and rendered aid to the injured boy before paramedics arrived.
A crime scene has been established on Caballo St.
Police were looking for two suspects seen allegedly running from the area
Paramedics worked to resuscitate the boy but he was declared dead at the scene. The area is a park behind a primary school and high school
Superintendent Moore thanked the several young women who ran to help the injured boy.
‘It would have been a horrifically confronting situation for those people and I can only praise them,’ she said.
‘Emergency services have been called but unfortunately that boy died at the scene.’
She also said officers had been to the family’s home and spoken with his parents.
Local Federal MP Michelle Rowland described the teenager’s death as the ‘tragic loss of a young life’.
‘My thoughts and deepest condolences are with the young boy’s family during this extremely difficult time,’ she said in a statement.
‘There is no place in our community for these acts of senseless violence, and I know this news will be particularly distressing for local families.
‘May he rest in peace.’
Hills Shire Council mayor Dr Michelle Byrne said the incident would shake the community.
‘I am deeply saddened to learn of the fatal stabbing of a teenager in Rouse Hill,’ Dr Byrne said.
‘This is a heartbreaking and senseless loss of a young life, and my thoughts, prayers and heartfelt condolences are with the family, friends, and all who are affected by this tragedy.
‘I want to acknowledge and thank the first responders who attended the scene, as well as the NSW Police officers who will now lead the investigation.
‘Their work in the most difficult of circumstances is deeply appreciated by our entire community.
‘Incidents like this shake us all. Our community is strong, compassionate and resilient, and in moments like these we must look out for one another.’
