A petition calling for tougher treatment of young offenders has been launched following the death of 60-year-old Sunshine retail worker Van Viet Truong, as members of Melbourne’s Vietnamese community and local residents demand stronger action on youth crime.
The campaign, titled “Demand justice for murdered Vietnamese retail worker Mr Van Viet Truong”, says the community is devastated by the death of the owner of Hong Hung Asian Grocery.
Mr Truong died in hospital after allegedly being assaulted in Sunshine on Saturday while attempting to intervene when a group of teenagers allegedly stole clothing from a nearby business.
Police initially charged five youths over the incident.
A 15-year-old boy has been charged with manslaughter and remains in custody. A 12-year-old boy and two 14-year-old girls have been charged with affray and intentionally causing serious injury and released on bail.
Prosecutors told a court there were three victims in the alleged assault, including Mr Truong and two other men who attempted to intervene.
The court heard the group allegedly dragged Mr Truong to the ground, with a witness reporting hearing a “cracking sound” as his head struck the concrete. The youths allegedly continued the assault before one member of the group yelled, “run, run”.
Mr Truong was found with severe head injuries and taken to hospital in an induced coma. His injuries were later described as “unsurvivable”.
He spent five days in hospital as relatives travelled from Vietnam to be by his bedside before his death.
Local residents have since rallied in Sunshine, calling for tougher bail laws, increased police resources and stronger measures to address youth offending in Melbourne’s west.
The petition expresses particular concern over the bail granted to some of the accused and calls for the justice system to reconsider bail decisions and impose strong penalties if offenders are convicted.
“This heinous act does not just affect him and his family but the whole Vietnamese community in Victoria and everyone who feels safe in our local shops,” the petition states.
“We cannot allow this to be the precedent in our society.”
“Justice demands that all individuals involved are held accountable and face the full extent of the law in court.”
The campaign also calls for greater protection for retail workers and stronger action against youth violence, arguing that serious offending must have consequences.
The petition urges Victorians to stand with Mr Truong’s family, the Vietnamese community and local retail workers while the criminal proceedings continue.
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