Eight teenagers charged with murder over alleged attack after Queensland party

Man, 21, dies six days after being taken to hospital in critical condition after alleged attack in Bahrs Scrub, Logan

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A “preconceived plan” to do harm at a party has resulted in a young man’s death and murder charges for eight teenagers, police say.

The group of teens allegedly attended an Airbnb gathering south of Brisbane armed with various weapons before it erupted into violence and left the 21-year-old man with catastrophic head injuries.

He was gravely injured after the party at the rented home in Bahrs Scrub, a suburb of Logan, on 26 July, Det Insp Ian Galpin told reporters on Monday.

‘‘A 21-year-old Redbank Plains man was located in an unconscious state, suffering head injuries,’’ he said.

He was transported to hospital in a critical condition and died six days later.

A group of young men have been accused of arming themselves before they arrived at the party which left several vehicles destroyed, a home extensively damaged and a street shut down, police said.

‘‘The police will allege that this group had a preconceived plan, which included arming themselves with various weapons before attending Bahrs Scrub with the common purpose of inflicting harm on persons at that address,’’ Galpin said.

The fatal attack triggered a major homicide investigation.

‘‘More than 80 police were involved in the execution of 14 search warrants across three police districts,’’ Galpin said.

Four teens were initially charged with murder on 6 August – two 18-year-olds and two 19-year-olds.

Another four were located and charged on Sunday – a 17-year-old and three 18-year-olds.

“Our investigations have continued, and [on Sunday] … we located an additional four persons at short-term accommodation in Morayfield, and those persons were also arrested and charged with murder,” Galpin said.

Police have warned more arrests are possible.

‘‘It is an ongoing investigation, so that is a possibility. If we identify more persons involved in this offence, then they will be charged.’’

Police liaison officers and community leaders have been working to prevent any retaliation.

‘‘Everyone that we have spoken to, they want nothing but peace within their community, and that’s why I’m confident there won’t be any further retaliation,’’ Galpin said.

‘‘We’ll continue to support the community, and we’ll also continue to deliver our message that any form of violence will not be tolerated.’’

Galpin praised the response from local residents, saying community cooperation had been “nothing short of amazing”.

‘‘If not for this cooperation, I don’t think we’d be in the position that we’re here in today and I think it highlights the importance of police working with the community and vice versa to solve these serious crimes.’’