By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
CASEY Crime Investigation Unit (CIU) is investigating whether a man was used as ‘bait’ to start a fight at a 21st Birthday Party in Doveton on the weekend.
The 19-year-old Eumemmerring man was interviewed pending charges following a fight that broke out on Sunday night at the Robinson Reserve in Paperbark Street at roughly 12.30am, in which a firearm and weapons were allegedly produced.
A number of people were injured, including one male who was taken to the Alfred Hospital with a fractured eye socket.
Casey CIU Detective Sergeant Garry Kear said the 19-year-old caused a disruption at the party which prompted a group of people to follow him outside before a fight started.
Police are investigating the involvement of other men in the fight after two vehicles stopped in the street and the drivers became embroiled in the incident. These males are believed to be of Pacific Islander or Maori appearance and police are requesting they come forward.
Police are especially interested in speaking to the occupants of a 2000 black Ford Focus with a rear spoiler, seen in the area at the time.
Det Sgt Kear said there were no obvious motives for the fight and that there was no links between the people inside the party and those who arrived when the fight started.
“We’re hoping to establish who the drivers were in the car, they may have a justifiable reason for being there and should come forward,” he said.
Det Sgt Kear also said there were a number of intoxicated people involved in the fight and urged those having a party in the future to hire security.
“People need to hire formal security to prevent this stuff from happening,” he said.
“There needs to be security at parties to rein things in and stop them from flaring up.
“Take all precautions; register the party and have appropriate security for the number of people at the party.”
Police are appealing for any witnesses to this incident to contact Casey CIU investigators on 9705 3114 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Information can be provided anonymously.
