A 22-year-old Melbourne man has been hailed a hero after allegedly being killed while protecting a schoolboy from an armed robbery.
Aidan Becker died on Friday around 6pm at Mernda Station in Melbourne, after intervening to help a 14-year-old who was being robbed by four teenagers.
Becker, who worked as a security guard at the Alfred Hospital, was on his way home from work when he intervened and walked the schoolboy away from the station.
Police said the teens followed the pair and attacked Becker with a machete, fatally stabbing him.
Bystanders applied first aid before paramedics attempted to resuscitate him at the scene, but he could not be saved.
On Sunday, people left flowers and cards at the station, as tributes flow for the hero security guard. One woman told the ABC that Becker “couldn’t hurt a soul”.
“All he wanted to do was help people,” she said.
“He would do anything to help anyone; he’d give the shirt off his back to a random person.”
She said that Becker’s family were still grappling with the circumstances of his death.
Becker’s friends have also paid tribute saying they were heartbroken by the loss and remembered him as someone selfless.
“He was the type to go out of his way and do what he did, and that’s probably the biggest thing I love about him,” one of his friends said.
“It’s just heartbreaking – I miss him.”
“It’s just every parent’s worst nightmare,” local resident Rachael Taranto said. “We really want the family to know we’re all thinking of them, and their son is a hero.”
Alfred Hospital released a statement on Sunday, describing him as a “quiet hero”.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of young security officer, Aidan Becker,” the statement read.
“Aidan’s colleagues at The Alfred describe him as a dedicated, respected, and much-loved member of our security team.
“He will be remembered for being full of life, and for his positive energy, kindness and dedication.
“He was a quiet hero who gave his all for those around him.”
Becker was a local to the area and loved animals, travelling, and making music. He was also a former player for the Yarrambat Football Club.
“Aidan was the kind of teammate every club hopes for — selfless, team-first and always willing to put others before himself,” the club said in a statement.
“His impact reached far beyond the game and the sadness of his loss is being felt deeply across the entire community.”
Following the attack, Premier Jacinta Allan announced the deployment of the government’s new violence reduction unit to Mernda.
The unit will work with police and Department of Education staff, in hopes of addressing youth crime at its roots.
“We created the violence reduction unit for this reason, to work with the community in the aftermath of violence and prevent further trauma,” the premier said.
Whittlesea area Commander Kate O’Neil described the attack as heartbreaking, but thanked members of the community who tried to help out.
“It really breaks my heart to think that someone was so viciously killed. But I’m grateful that there are still members of the community who actually still help those in need,” she said.
Three males, aged 16, 17 and 18, have since been charged with murder and armed robbery in connection with Becker’s death. Another 17-year-old remains in hospital under police guard.
The state government recently introduced laws allowing young offenders who commit violent crimes to be sentenced in adult courts.
Images: Yahoo News
