Latest news with #Manassa
West Australian
19 hours ago
- West Australian
17yo charged with orchestrating attack that led to stabbing death of Luke Manassa
A 17-year-old has been accused of allegedly issuing the attack contract that led to the fatal stabbing of 21-year-old Luke Manassa in a tragic case of mistaken identity. Mr Manassa was allegedly stabbed after arriving with his girlfriend at a home in Driftway Dr, Pemulwuy, in Sydney's west, about 10.45pm on June 26. Despite being able to get back into his car and drive a short distance, he succumbed to his injuries and could not be revived. He died at the scene. NSW Police were told two people wearing disguises and dark clothing had attacked Mr Manassa. Two boys, aged 16 and 17, were arrested in early July in Mount Druitt and South Penrith respectively and charged with Mr Manassa's murder. On Wednesday, detectives executed a search warrant in Blacktown and arrested another 17-year-old boy about 7am. He was taken to Blacktown Police Station, where he was charged with manslaughter and knowingly/recklessly direct criminal group assist crime. He was refused bail and appeared at a children's court on Wednesday. Police will allege in court the teen issued the contract to carry out the attack on another man, but Mr Manassa was targeted in a case of mistaken identity. Mr Manassa did not live at the Pemulwuy home but was known to visit the property. Police have previously said the owner of the Pemulwuy home was known to them. Detective Superintendent Joseph Doueihi on July 4 said investigators were yet to confirm a clear motive, however mistaken identity was 'more than likely'. 'It perhaps (was) the wrong target … more than likely, this is a case of mistaken identity, but it's still early days before we can absolutely confirm that,' he said. Superintendent Doueihi described the attack as 'very amateurish' and said it lacked the evidence of planning typically seen in gang-related hits, including expensive getaway cars or firebombed vehicles. Mr Manassa's funeral in the week after his death was an emotional affair . His mother Theresa Manassa was photographed in tears, hugging close family and friends at the conclusion of a touching memorial attended by hundreds. The end of the funeral was marked by the release of 21 white doves, commemorating Luke's 21 years, along with basketball balloons – a sport he loved. An emotional haka was led by Luke's Polynesian colleagues at Mann Group. Several police cars watched on nearby as hundreds gathered for the service. A guard of honour was formed leading to the church, made up of employees from the family business Mann Group – dressed in fluorescent orange construction shirts – and schoolchildren from nearby parishes. Police said investigations under Strike Force Hickety are ongoing.
Perth Now
19 hours ago
- Perth Now
17yo ‘orchestrated' contract attack, cops
A 17-year-old has been accused of allegedly issuing the attack contract that led to the fatal stabbing of 21-year-old Luke Manassa in a tragic case of mistaken identity. Mr Manassa was allegedly stabbed after arriving with his girlfriend at a home in Driftway Dr, Pemulwuy, in Sydney's west, about 10.45pm on June 26. Despite being able to get back into his car and drive a short distance, he succumbed to his injuries and could not be revived. He died at the scene. NSW Police were told two people wearing disguises and dark clothing had attacked Mr Manassa. Luke Manassa was fatally stabbed at Pemulwuy on June 26 in a case of mistaken identity Credit: News Corp Australia He was just 21 years old. Credit: News Corp Australia Two boys, aged 16 and 17, were arrested in early July in Mount Druitt and South Penrith respectively and charged with Mr Manassa's murder. On Wednesday, detectives executed a search warrant in Blacktown and arrested another 17-year-old boy about 7am. He was taken to Blacktown Police Station, where he was charged with manslaughter and knowingly/recklessly direct criminal group assist crime. He was refused bail and appeared at a children's court on Wednesday. Police will allege in court the teen issued the contract to carry out the attack on another man, but Mr Manassa was targeted in a case of mistaken identity. Mr Manassa did not live at the Pemulwuy home but was known to visit the property. Police have previously said the owner of the Pemulwuy home was known to them. Luke Manassa's coffin in brought out of the Our Lady of Lebanon Co-cathedral at the close of his funeral service. NewsWire / John Appleyard Credit: NewsWire Detective Superintendent Joseph Doueihi on July 4 said investigators were yet to confirm a clear motive, however mistaken identity was 'more than likely'. 'It perhaps (was) the wrong target … more than likely, this is a case of mistaken identity, but it's still early days before we can absolutely confirm that,' he said. Superintendent Doueihi described the attack as 'very amateurish' and said it lacked the evidence of planning typically seen in gang-related hits, including expensive getaway cars or firebombed vehicles. Mr Manassa's funeral in the week after his death was an emotional affair. His mother Theresa Manassa was photographed in tears, hugging close family and friends at the conclusion of a touching memorial attended by hundreds. Luke's mother Theresa at the close of the funeral. NewsWire / John Appleyard Credit: NewsWire The end of the funeral was marked by the release of 21 white doves, commemorating Luke's 21 years, along with basketball balloons – a sport he loved. An emotional haka was led by Luke's Polynesian colleagues at Mann Group. Several police cars watched on nearby as hundreds gathered for the service. A guard of honour was formed leading to the church, made up of employees from the family business Mann Group – dressed in fluorescent orange construction shirts – and schoolchildren from nearby parishes. Police said investigations under Strike Force Hickety are ongoing.
Sky News AU
20 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Third teenager charged with allegedly orchestrating mistaken fatal stabbing of Luke Manassa in Sydney's west
A third teenager has been charged with the alleged orchestrated killing of a young man in Sydney's west. Police believe Luke Manassa was likely mistaken for his identity after he was ambushed and stabbed to death. Two men dressed in dark clothing and disguises approached the 21-year-old when he had just arrived home with his girlfriend on Driftway Drive, Pemulwuy, at 10.45pm on June 26. Mr Manassa was stabbed as he managed to flee the scene in his vehicle, before being overcome by his injuries. Paramedics treated him but he could not be revived and died at the scene. About 7am on Wednesday, police arrested a third teenager after executing a search warrant in Blacktown. 'A 17-year-old male was arrested at the scene and taken to Blacktown Police Station, where he was charged with manslaughter, knowingly/recklessly direct criminal group assist crime and fail to comply digital evidence access order direction,' a NSW Police spokesperson said. He was refused bail and appeared at a children's court on the same day. Police allege the teen issued the contract to carry out the attack on another man, but Mr Manassa was targeted in a case of mistaken identity. Two teenagers, 17 and 18, have previously been charged in June with murder and remain before the courts. On the night of the stabbing close associates of Mr Manassa had been looking after the property of Anthony Khalil, The Daily Telegraph reported. Khalil was arrested in June after allegedly abducting a Queensland man, 27, over a $2.4 million debt invested in a gambling investment company. Queensland Police allege Khalil was one of seven men involved in the kidnapping and were linked to the notorious crime network of the Alameddine family. It's understood Khalil was not at the Pemulwuy property on the night of the stabbing. Detective Superintendent Joe Doueihi said police did not believe Mr Manassa's murder was linked to the current gang war. 'This is a very amateurish offence, I'd call it disorganised crime,' he said. 'It does not have the hallmarks of other organised crime murders where they use multiple high performance stolen vehicles, cloned number plates, semiautomatic firearms- it doesn't have any of those traits.' Investigations under Strike Force Hickety continue. According to his LinkedIn profile, Mr Manassa graduated from UTS in property economics and worked full-time as a project manager at his family's demolition business Mann Group. He was laid to rest at Our Lady of Lebanon Co-Cathedral in Harris Park on July 9. Hundreds of mourners attended the service as twenty-one white doves were released at the end of the funeral to commemorate Mr Manassa's 21 years of life. An emotional haka was led by his Polynesian colleagues at Mann Group.
Perth Now
09-07-2025
- Perth Now
‘Rare soul': Stabbing victim laid to rest
Family and friends of a young man allegedly stabbed to death in the driveway of a Sydney west home are gathering to lay the 'kind, respectful, and beautiful soul' to rest at a ceremony in Harris Park. Luke Manassa, 21, died from injuries sustained during the alleged stabbing attack in Pemulway, as he and his girlfriend pulled into a home along Driftway Dr. Police allege two people wearing disguises and dark clothing attacked Mr Manassa, before he was able to get back into his car and drive a short distance. Mr Manassa's funeral will be held at Our Lady of Lebanon Co-Cathedral in Harris Park from 11am. Luke Manassa died from stab injuries after he was allegedly attacked by two teenagers in a driveway in west Sydney. Supplied Credit: News Corp Australia Two boys, aged 16 and 17, have been charged with murder. Richard Dobson / NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia A funeral program for the service carries a message from the Gospel of John, reading: 'Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live.' Tributes have flowed for the 21-year-old in the wake of his death, with the Australian Blouza Association – a non-political organisation founded in 1949 by immigrants from the village of Blouza, in North Lebanon – announcing news of his passing with 'great sadness'. On the group's Facebook page, Charlie Baissari wrote: 'Our hearts are deeply broken to hear about the passing of your beloved Angel Luke. It was clear he was a kind, respectful, and beautiful soul — the kind of young man who left a light wherever he went.' 'No words can truly ease the pain of such a tragic loss, but please know our thoughts, prayers, and love are with you all during this heartbreaking time. We are so sorry. With our deepest sympathy, may he rest in eternal peace,' Mr Baissari continued. Mr Manassa's cousin Tash Mansour wrote: 'I'm lost for words. My heart goes to the rest of your siblings Anthony, Danielle, Patrick Grace and Matthew, and your parents Jamie and Theresa.' Mr Manassa, 21, has been remembered as a 'rare soul—overflowing with kindness, love, wisdom, talent, faith, and intelligence far beyond his years' by his family. Supplied Credit: News Corp Australia His brother David, in his own social media post, remembered Luke as a 'rare soul—overflowing with kindness, love, wisdom, talent, faith, and intelligence far beyond his years'. 'Luke left behind a legacy of love and light that will never fade. I'll forever hold the memories I have with him close,' he said. 'And while nothing can ease the pain right now, I stand firm in one hope: that we will be reunited again, in the presence of our loving God and Savior, Jesus Christ. 'Until then, we grieve … but not without hope.' Police are probing whether the alleged attack on Mr Manassa was a case of mistaken identity. Richard Dobson / NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia Two boys, aged 16 and 17, have been charged with Mr Manassa's murder. Detective Superintendent Joseph Doueihi last week said investigators had not determined a clear motive for why the 21-year-old was targeted. 'It perhaps (was) the wrong target … more than likely, this is a case of mistaken identity, but it's still early days before we can absolutely confirm that,' he said. Mr Manassa did not live at the Pemulwuy home but was known to visit the property. According to his LinkedIn profile, he graduated from UTS last year and worked full-time as a project manager at his family's demolition business Mann Group. More to come .
Perth Now
04-07-2025
- Perth Now
'Disorganised crime': teens may have stabbed wrong man
Two boys charged with a stabbing murder might have been hired for the hit before targeting the wrong man in a case police have labelled "disorganised crime". Luke Manassa was stabbed outside a house in Pemulwuy in Sydney's west on June 26 by two masked assailants armed with machetes who were lying in wait in the driveway. Mr Manassa tried to escape to his ute and drive away but only travelled a few hundred metres before being overcome by his injuries and dying at the scene. Two teenagers, aged 16 and 17, were due to face a children's court charged with murder on Friday. The pair were arrested on Thursday morning but cannot be identified due to their age. The 17-year-old was on bail when Mr Manassa was killed. Detective Superintendent Joseph Doueihi said the teens were known to police for past violent behaviour and association with street gangs. "We believe that these younger offenders were contracted by someone to conduct this killing," Det Supt Doueihi told reporters. But there was no evidence linking Mr Manassa's alleged killers to the wider spate of organised crime violence in Sydney. "It's a very amateurish offence by these offenders," Det Supt Doueihi said. "If anything, I'd call it disorganised crime." Mr Manassa's family are adamant he was not the intended victim and police confirmed he was not known to authorities prior to his death. He did not live at the house he arrived at when he was stabbed but visited there occasionally. "The occupants of that location are known to Luke and are also known to NSW Police," Det Supt Doueihi said. Police have seized a red Kia the teens allegedly used to flee the scene. The pair are the latest in a string of young people allegedly caught up in Sydney's organised crime wave. On Wednesday, two 15-year-old boys were charged over two shootings in Sydney's southwest in June, one of which also involved a potential case of mistaken identity. "The problem is that these young children don't understand the consequences of their actions," Det Supt Doueihi said. "They could end up dead themselves, or they could be victims of some form of retaliation by the people that they tried to target." The killing of plumber John Versace at Condell Park in May was another high-profile case of suspected mistaken identity.
