Grocery shop owner Van Viet Truong, 60, has died after being allegedly beaten by a group of youths while trying to stop a robbery in Sunshine, Melbourne on Sunday.
Mr Truong, who was known to friends as "Jimmy" and "Lenny", passed away on Thursday morning after police previously described his head injuries as "unsurvivable". He had stepped in to help a fellow shopkeeper when a group of youths aged between 12 and 15 allegedly attempted to rob a clothing store two doors away from his grocer on Hampshire Road.
Mr Truong, his wife, and his mother-in-law ran Hong Hung Asian grocers for more than 20 years. On Sunday, he intervened during the alleged robbery before being set upon by the group. Five youths, comprising three boys aged 12, 13, and 15, and two 14-year-old girls, were charged on Sunday with affray, violent disorder, intentionally causing injury, and intentionally causing serious injury.
Police arrested four of the teenagers on Saturday, while the fifth suspect, a 12-year-old boy, was arrested at his home address on Saturday night. Following Mr Truong's death, Victoria Police confirmed that detectives would consider upgrading the charges against the accused group.
Charges and Court Appearance
The 12-year-old boy appeared before a children's court on Sunday, where Magistrate Robyn Hamilton detailed the severity of Mr Truong's injuries. The magistrate foreshadowed his death during the hearing, stating that the victim was left in an unsurvivable situation and that the charges would inevitably be upgraded.
"Within days or hours, that victim will die, that was the grim message from a magistrate at a children's court," Magistrate Hamilton said. During the Sunday hearing, the 12-year-old boy's mother broke down in tears while pleading for her son to be granted bail, citing concerns for his physical safety and mental health, but the court refused the application.
CCTV footage captured parts of the incident, showing the retail worker giving chase after the alleged clothing store robbery before a scuffle broke out. The footage showed Mr Truong appearing to push one of the children before being struck in the head. Further actions occurred outside camera view, leaving Mr Truong with significant head injuries after being struck multiple times and hitting his head on the ground.
Local Tributes and CCTV Footage
Tributes have flowed online and at the shopping strip for Mr Truong. Market workers described him as a loyal customer who was always smiling and ready for a joke. "Such a tragedy, he's a very good person and a very loyal customer, we called him Lenny the turkey and he always had time for a joke, he never took things seriously and always walked in with a huge smile," one market worker wrote online, adding even more respect for his decision to risk his life to protect a neighbour.
Radio host Jacqui Felgate condemned the attack on 3AW on Monday, criticizing changes to bail laws following a previous death in custody. "We have allowed children to think that this is OK. That actions don't have consequences and that if you commit a crime you don't go to jail," Felgate said, claiming youth offenders receive bail and "laugh at police."
Along Hampshire Road, Hong Hung Asian grocers now lies shuttered and abandoned. A sign posted on the roller door informed customers that the shop was closed due to "an unexpected family emergency", though local traders said fear and confusion had already swept through the area on Wednesday as they anticipated the outcome.
Trader Security Concerns and Police Response
Traders along the strip expressed anger, claiming police have abandoned the suburb while young thugs terrorise business owners. "This place is called Sunshine, but maybe it should be Darkness," one trader said, asking the government for more security and police presence. Traders also claimed officers only visited after the weekend incident to "put on a show for the cameras" by walking three across.
Victoria Police disputed those accusations. Acting Commander Troy Papworth stated that police enhanced their response to provide a dedicated, highly visible presence. Commander Papworth acknowledged on Wednesday that the attack caused a "ripple effect" and widespread angst across Melbourne's west, noting that officers shared the community's concern. However, during a several-hour period on Wednesday, observers saw no police officers or marked vehicles on Hampshire Road.
Public anger also mounted on Thursday regarding the justice system. One market worker stated online: "Stop calling them children...Children play with toy cars or dress up their dolls live by the sword die by the sword. Lock them up for 20 years and their parents for 5 years for not keeping their pets on a leash."
Political Reaction and Law Reform
Victoria Premier Ben Carroll called the alleged attack "completely unacceptable" and stated there is no tolerance for such behaviour. Premier Carroll also called for the teenagers to be tried as adults for their alleged crimes.
The incident occurred days after the Premier unveiled proposed retail worker protection laws designed to allow courts to restrict workplace access for individuals who assault, intimidate, or stalk employees. Opposition Leader Jess Wilson criticized Premier Carroll, stating that Labor had voted against a Liberal workplace protection bill that would take immediate effect in favour of a Labor scheme that will not take effect until the middle of next year. "Ben Carroll and Labor are not serious about cleaning up the crime crisis in this state," Wilson said.
