Seven young males have been charged over the savage killing of a young African man who was allegedly hacked to death by machete-wielding thugs in Melbourne last year.
Police allege Sudanese man Lino Atem, 24, was at Haines Drive Reserve in Wyndham Vale at about 11.30pm on January 10 last year with two friends, both 27, when they were confronted by a group of about 12 youths who arrived in four cars.
Mr Atem was treated at the scene after allegedly being stabbed and slashed, but could not be saved. His friends, who were also from Wyndham Vale, were taken to hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Following a 21-month investigation Homicide Squad detectives and the VIPER Taskforce raided homes in Hoppers Crossing, Melton South, Albanvale, Melton, Brimbank, Wyndham and Ringwood at 5.30am on Wednesday.
Video of the arrests show three males of African appearance, and one lighter-skinned youth.
The seven youths were all charged with manslaughter, and four adults aged 18, 18, 20 and 21 will face Melbourne Magistrates Court. Three 17-year-olds will appear in a children’s court.
The arrests come after 13 people were arrested over Mr Atem’s death in March 2025 but released pending further inquiries.
Mr Atem’s brother, Atem Atem, 29, was shot dead alongside another African man, Ayuel Akuei, 22, in the driveway of the family’s Wyndham Vale home in February 2023. A third man, 23, was shot in the chest and survived.
During the 2.30am attack three carloads of men in ski masks turned up at the home and fatally shot Atem and his pit bull staffy cross, Randy, before running into the garage and opening fire on Mr Akuei and the other man.
His mother said at the time that the family had come to Australia from Sudan in 2003.
Police said there was nothing to indicate that the deaths of the Atem brothers were linked.
Header image: Left, Lino Atem (supplied). Centre and right, two of the males being arrested (Victoria Police).
