A Good Samaritan allegedly murdered by a group of machete-wielding teenagers in Melbourne is being remembered as a hero who loved Australia.
Aidan Becker, 22, was allegedly stabbed to death while trying to protect a 14-year-old boy during an alleged violent robbery outside Mernda train station in Melbourne at about 6pm on Friday night.
Two males aged 16 and 17 were charged with murder and armed robbery on Saturday, and 18-year-old Mike Pikos faced Melbourne Magistrates Court on Sunday charged with the same offences where he was remanded in custody. A second 17-year-old was charged on Monday spending two days in hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
A friend of Mr Becker’s told Noticer News the 22-year-old was opposed to violent crime and that he “stood against the sort of people” who allegedly killed him.
The friend, named Levi, said Mr Becker was of South African and German descent, had embraced Australian culture and values since moving to the country when he was young, and simply “loved Australia”.
“He was a real good dude,” Levi said.
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Mr Becker was also remembered by his former football club, Yarrambat, which described him as “he kind of teammate every club hopes for – selfless, team first and always willing to put others before himself”.
“Aidan brought people together and represented everything that our club stands for – effort, attitude, respect,” the club wrote.
“His impact reached far beyond the game and the sadness of his loss is being felt deeply across the entire community.”
Another long-time friend, Shania Butler-Griffiths, 23, told the Herald Sun Mr Becker was “anti-violence”, thought the government was too soft on offenders, and was planning to start self defence and jiu-jitsu classes.
“It’s no surprise to me that he died trying to make peace and protect a younger kid,” she said.
“Aidan was just a good kid and was always the peacemaker whenever he’d come across his friends or even strangers arguing.”
“He loved Australia and hated what has been going on in Melbourne recently”.
Victoria Police detective acting inspector Nigel L’Estrange told 9News on Saturday Mr Becker was killed trying to save the 14-year-old’s life.
“He’s intervened, he’s tried to protect this 14-year-old schoolboy, he hasn’t been aggressive at all and tried to remove him from the scene and as a result of his interaction he has now lost his life,” he said.
“Those offenders followed, and in what could only be described as a savage [alleged] attack, assaulted the 22-year-old male .. with both fists, kicking and edge weapons.
“It’s cowardly, it’s shocking. It’s not something we want to see in our streets.”
Header image: Left, right, Aidan Becker (supplied).
