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Man dead, 10 seriously injured after brawl in Brisbane’s north

Police are worried there might be more violence between the two groups.

Police are worried there might be more violence between the two groups. Photo: AAP

A man has died and another 10 people have been seriously injured after a violent brawl in Brisbane’s north involving knives and baseball bats.

Police said a fight broke out between two groups at O’Callaghan Park in Zillmere about 5.30pm on Sunday.

A man, believed to be in his 20s, died at the scene, while 10 others were taken to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.

Detective Superintendent Tony Fleming said he believed the brawl involved two African groups.

“We believe knives and baseball bats were used in that attack,” he said.

“We know at least one young man has died and there are about 10 other people who have been hospitalised as a result of that incident.

“Two of those people, I’m led to believe, are in a critical condition.

“I’m concerned this incident is the result of a retribution amongst these people for an incident that happened earlier this week in the western suburbs of Brisbane.

“A group of people left the western suburbs of Brisbane yesterday afternoon and came to Zillmere, with an intent of having a confrontation with another group.”

Detective Superintendent Fleming said he was concerned there could be further violence.

“What we would ask is for the community to remain calm,” he said.

“We are doing all we can to investigate this and hold people to account for the level of violence that happened.

“We are active right across south-east Queensland now to ensure we don’t have a repeat of this.”

Police stationed at hospitals

Detective Superintendent Fleming said police were stationed at several hospitals.

“None of that behaviour is helpful to those who’ve been injured and nor to others who are using the hospital,” he said.

“We have, as I have indicated, police both at the locations where we think there might be trouble but also on patrol to make sure – or do our very best to prevent – any escalation.”

He said it was still early on in a complex investigation.

“As I’m sure you can appreciate we’ve got a large number of people who’ve confronted each other … the outcome of that is one young man is dead and a number of people are very, very, seriously hurt.”

Zillmere resident Amanda Walter said she heard yelling in the streets.

“I saw [them] walking past,” she said.

“[They were] quite loud and with sticks in their hands, [so] I locked myself inside and the next thing, sirens everywhere, so I came out to have a look.

“We don’t walk in that park, because of that, we’re a bit scared of what goes on down there.”

Detective Superintendent Fleming said while there had been tensions between members in the African community, this level of violence was unexpected.

He urged witnesses to come forward.

“Both for justice, for those who’ve been injured, but more importantly to make sure that we don’t have any further trouble,” he said.

Chris, who has lived in Zillmere since 2002, says he’s “disturbed” by the attack. Photo: ABC

‘It does disturb you’

Local resident, Chris, said about 15 men were seen jumping out of cars in broad daylight.

“I was told there was someone on the ground who’d been stabbed in the stomach,” he said.

“I’m not scared, but it does disturb you.

“I just hope they don’t have more revenge attacks.”

-ABC

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