Vic: Police try to piece together stabbing clash
10 Apr 2009 2:10 PM
MELBOURNE, April 10 AAP - Police are trying to piece together what happened during a confrontation in which two men were stabbed in Melbourne's western suburbs.
About 11.30pm (AEST) on Thursday a man was sitting in his car outside a house in Delahy, when about eight men surrounded the car and allegedly asked for his wallet and other possessions.
Detective Senior Sergeant Charlie Bezzina from the Embona Taskforce said that when the man refused, he was pulled out of his vehicle and attacked.
"During this assault, it's still unclear to us, but he's managed to get hold of a knife ... and subsequently stabs two of the males," Det Snr Sgt Bezzina told reporters on Friday.
The youths, aged 16 and 17, were taken to hospital.
One suffered minor injuries and was discharged while the other will undergo treatment for a back injury.
"It's still unclear to us at this stage exactly what happened. We are getting conflicting stories from the two who went to hospital."
The original assault victim has been interviewed by police as a "person of interest".
"Even though he was interviewed as a potential suspect last night, he may still be a victim."
Police were heading into the investigation with an open mind, he said.
"Everybody's got the right to defend themselves. Certainly, if his story gels up that he defended himself and he's done it within reasonable means he will face no charges in that respect."
Police were unsure whether the men knew each other.
"There is a bit of finger pointing between the two groups as it were," Det Snr Sgt Bezzina said.
The other five or six men involved in the original attack have not yet spoken to police.
Drugs, gangs and racial tensions were not believed to be motives.
The investigation is continuing.
