Police investigate fatal stabbing of a teenager

A 15 year-old apprentice mechanic has died after being stabbed in the chest as he arrived to work at an automotive workshop in Minchinbury.

A 15-year-old boy who had just started work as an apprentice in an automotive workshop died after being stabbed in the chest in Sydney's west today.

The boy, who a friend said was due to turn 16 this month, was attacked at an industrial estate in Marieanne Place, Minchinbury, police say.

The boy's father is reportedly a member of Lone Wolf bikie gang, but police insist the stabbing was not bikie related.

 

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Mount Druitt area commander Superintendent Wayne Cox said there was "no intelligence" to suggest the stabbing was bikie related.

"There are a number of inquiries we're making in relation to the matter, and we're aware of the people who are involved in these matters," he told reporters.

"There is no intelligence to suggest [the attack is part of a war between two bikie gangs] and I would suggest there is no stage for alarm at this time."

A witness said the boy apparently suffered cardiac arrest after being stabbed and was given CPR before paramedics arrived and took him to Nepean Hospital, where he died a short time later.

Superintendent Cox described the attack at the industrial estate as a "horrific crime".

Superintendent Cox said the boy's family were "completely upset and distraught, and they have been to the scene".

"He's a 15-year-old boy who's currently employed as an apprentice mechanic, and goes to one of the local schools in the area," Superintendent Cox told reporters outside Mount Druitt police station.

"It is a horrific crime, there is no doubt about it. It is horrific to see a child like that being killed.

"What I'm urging for is any members of the public to come forward with any information that may be able to assist us in solving this crime.

"That would be a great asset to us to get that information."

One of the boy's friends told smh.com.au that the victim, whom he had known since primary school, had recently completed his school certificate and taken up an apprenticeship.

The friend said the victim had been passionate about anything to do with bikes and loved "just having fun, riding bikes, anything with a motor he liked".

Workers in businesses on the street said it had been closed off while police investigated.

A worker at another business in the street said the teenager was an apprentice who was stabbed inside the automotive workshop where he worked.

It is believed the workshop was owned by his father, who had gone out and come back to find his son stabbed, another worker said.

Dulcie Grono, who works at the Australia Foundation for Disability on the street, said she heard a lot of sirens just after 8am.

"It's terrible," she said. "It's a bit scary when you're working."

Another worker in the street, who did not wish to be identified, said a man came into his business saying somone had been stabbed.

"There was a lot of screaming going on after that," the worker said. "Maybe the young fellow might have been there by himself."

The worker also said there was a bikie clubhouse opposite Marieanne Place on Grex Avenue.

"But we never have any drama with them," he said. "They've been there for years. They did get shot up there some time ago and that's when they boarded up all the windows," he said.

A Facebook memorial page has been set up for the boy, who is pictured online in his school formal suit.

"RIP ... 5/12/11. Gone but never forgotten," the page said.

One friend paid tribute, saying: "RIP ... loved and missed by many".

A student from a nearby high school wrote: "Rest easy ... life isn't fair".

Another friend asked others to gather to remember the teenager on Wednesday night.