INVESTIGATIONS into how a teenager came to be stabbed multiple times during a violent Ashmont brawl have been stalled, as the victim refuses to co-operate with police.
As many as 20 young people started fighting on Marshall and Poulton streets about 2.30am Saturday when a 17-year-old boy was stabbed in his torso.
Wagga duty officer Inspector Peter McLay said officers were forced to call for back up as the “volatile situation” unfolded. Inspector McLay confirmed “a lot of the persons involved are known to police” and were reluctant to assist with inquiries out of fears of reprisal.
“We’re calling for witnesses, (but) we’re not getting a lot of co-operation from the victim at this stage,” he said.
The boy who was stabbed was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to hospital, where he underwent surgery and remains in a serious condition.
The ugly attack has highlighted the prevalence of youth crime across the city.
(Youth crime) is probably escalating in the degree of seriousness.
- Inspector Peter McLay
“It’s certainly not diminishing,” Inspector McLay said.
“If anything, it’s probably escalating in the degree of seriousness.”
Anyone with information on the incident should contact Wagga police on 6922 2599 or crime stoppers on 1800 333 000.
