Fears are mounting that teenagers in a small NSW town are being deliberately targeted by a sick “kill list” after two young people were killed in horrific stabbing attacks within weeks.
On June 25, emergency services rushed to a home on McDougall Street in Casino, in the state’s Northern Rivers region, after a 17-year-old boy was stabbed in an allegedly “targeted attack”.
Tragically, the teen died at the scene despite frantic efforts to save him.
“Initial inquiries suggest the incident is targeted,” NSW Police said in a statement at the time.
The victim has since been identified as local teen Ned Gronow, with his shattered siblings describing their “baby brother” in a GoFundMe page as “the extended younger brother for so many in town, loved by all”.
Fellow Casino teen Rayne William Aylward, 18, has since been charged with murder, with police alleging he visited the home before Mr Gronow’s death – the second teen stabbing murder to rock the small community of just 11,000 residents within weeks.
Weeks earlier, on the evening of May 29, 17-year-old labourer Lachlan Andrews died in a fatal stabbing after an alleged wild brawl involving around 20 youths broke out in the carpark of Casino’s KFC.
Another teen, Harrison Hone, 18, also received stab wounds during the alleged fight and was taken to Lismore Base Hospital.
A 17-year-old was later charged with murder, reckless wounding and affray while another 18-year-old, Aaron John Pocklington, was charged with affray and using an offensive weapon in company with intent to commit an indictable offence in relation to the attack.
‘Kill list’ rumours grow
Detectives launched Strike Force Linford in the wake of Mr Gronow’s death to investigate whether the two stabbings were connected, but have since said they are “not believed to be related”.
Casino High School staff have also shot down allegations that the two deaths were connected, with relieving principal Alecia Keatney issuing a letter to parents over “unsubstantiated rumours” of a race brawl this week.
On Friday, the school sent another letter urging parents to stay “mindful” of the impacts “rumour and speculation can have on our young people”, The Northern Star reported.
However, the local paper claims rumours are circulating that the recent attacks were part of a “kill list”, with local business owners reporting young people believe there is a list of 10 names on the list, with eight still to be targeted.
Others told the publication there were several Instagram pages which document underage local fights, while another local claimed one young person had left their rental and returned to their parent’s home due to safety fears.
‘Kids are allegedly killing kids’
Casino youth advocate Ben West told The Northern Star adults were fuelling the paranoia by spreading the kill list rumour around town, and called on the government to fund more youth programs.
“It’s urgent, kids are allegedly killing kids – what could be more urgent?” he said.
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“There’s a bigger chance of change in a small community than (in) a big one.
“Everyone knows each other here, or knows of each other. It just needs people willing to work together.”
All three teens charged in relation to the two stabbing deaths have yet to enter pleas and remain before the courts.
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