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Cassius Turvey was a 15-year-old Aboriginal Australian boy who was assaulted on 13 October 2022 in Perth, Western Australia, and died ten days later of his injuries. His death sparked vigils and rallies across Australia and internationally. A 21-year-old white Australian man was charged with his murder.

Background

Cassius Turvey was a 15-year-old Noongar-Yamatji boy, who had started a "pay-what-you-can" lawnmowing business with his friends when he was 13. He was concerned with negative stereotypes of Aboriginal people, and was well-liked in his community.

Killing

Turvey was attacked by an assailant armed with a metal pole, on 13 October 2022, while walking home from school with a group of friends along Lloyd Street in Middle Swan, a Perth suburb. The group was approached by a group of men in a utility vehicle, who began to verbally harass the boys from the car. One of the men exited the vehicle and chased after the boys, catching Turvey and beating him with a metal pole. Turvey was taken to the hospital and treated for injuries. One of his friends, who was on crutches from a previous injury, was also attacked, with his crutches. He escaped with facial bruising.

Turvey was released from the hospital five days later, but after a few hours suffered a seizure, and returned to hospital where he was placed into an induced coma. On 23 October, ten days after the attack, he died of his injuries.

Aftermath

Turvey's family said on 24 October that it could be a case of mistaken identity, and that he was targeted by the assailant thinking he was someone else.

His death sparked candlelit vigils and rallies across Australia on the evening of 2 November, as well as in New Zealand and Los Angeles. Turvey's mother, Mechelle Turvey, appealed for calm at the rallies, saying that she wanted no violence in her son's name, and that she was the only person who could get justice for her son.

Western Australian Police and premier Mark McGowan discouraged public speculation about the reasons for the attack. Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese described it as an attack that was "clearly racially motivated".

Human rights lawyer Hannah McGlade, a member of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, said that the death reminded the community of other deaths of Aboriginal teenagers, including Elijah Doughty and Thomas "TJ" Hickey.

Legal proceedings

Police arrested and charged Jack Steven James Brearley, a 21-year-old man, with one count of unlawful wounding. After Turvey’s death police also charged him with murder.

References

1. ^ Turnbull, Tiffanie (3 November 2022). "Cassius Turvey: Aboriginal boy's killing puts spotlight on racism in Australia". BBC News. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
2. Collard, Sarah (28 October 2022). "'A lot of anger': a community shattered by the senseless death of Cassius Turvey". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
3. ^ Green, Eli; Achenza, Madeleine; Raphael, Angie (2 November 2022). "Thousands mourn Cassius Turvey at dozens of rallies across Australia". news.com.au.
4. ^ McNeill, Heather (24 October 2022). "Perth 'vigilante bashing' murder involved a metal pole, police say". The Age. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
5. ^ Knowles, Rachael (31 October 2022). "Cassius Turvey's family surrounded by love and support at his favorite childhood park". NITV. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
6. "West Australian Premier Mark McGowan warns against speculation over death of Cassius Turvey". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 27 October 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
7. "Cassius Turvey's mum welcomes prime minister's comments on son's death". 9News. 29 October 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
8. Bridges, Alicia; Ho, Cason (24 October 2022). "Perth man charged with murder over death of Indigenous teen after alleged vicious bashing". ABC News.

• October 2022 events in Australia
• 2020s in Perth, Western Australia
• Deaths by person in Australia
• Violent deaths in Australia
• 2022 deaths
• Noongar people