Detectives from the Homicide Squad have this morning charged a teenage boy with murder as part of their investigation into a fatal stabbing in St Kilda in December last year.
A 15-year-old Taylors Hill boy has been charged with one count of murder and will face a children's court at a later date.
The teen was initially charged in December with a range of offences in relation to the incident, including violent disorder and affray, and has remained in custody since that time.
Today's charge follows the painstaking review of hours of CCTV footage by Homicide Squad investigators.
Seven males in total, aged between 15 and 18 years of age, have all been charged in relation to the incident with a range of assault, drug and weapons offences.
The arrests follow an incident where emergency services were called to St Kilda beach just after 7.30pm on 4 December, 2022 following reports of people fighting.
An 18-year-old Tarneit man was located with stab wounds on the beach in the vicinity of Pier Road.
He was transported to hospital but subsequently passed away.
Detectives remain keen to speak to anyone who witnessed the incident or has further information about those involved.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.auExternal Link
Quotes attributable to Assistant Commissioner Bob Hill, Crime Command:
"Significant displays of public violence such as this strike at the heart of the feeling of safety our community is entitled to have.
"This incident has been subject to intense investigation over the past seven weeks, resulting in seven people being charged.
"However we know there are still people out there who have information about this incident who are yet to speak to police or have been reluctant to provide information.
"This includes a number of witnesses who were part of the groups involved on the night.
"Investigators are again appealing directly to those people to speak to us and tell us what they know - whether it's the identity of others who were present on the night or any other information about the fatal stabbing.
"We know there were friends of the victim present on the evening who witnessed the stabbing - for the sake of Hashim and his family, please do the right thing and contact police.
"I remind people that information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers.
"Victoria Police will do everything possible to hold those involved in this incident to account, but this is undoubtedly a situation where we need the support of the community.
"Too many lives have already been lost and families ruined as a consequence or incidents such as this.
"I can assure the community that any incidents of gang violence will not be tolerated by Victoria Police."
