Teenage BWS bottleshop worker os stabbed to death ‘by a regular’ just minutes before he was due to finish his shift
- Bottle shop worker dies in Darwin
- Death sparked outpouring of tributes
- Man, 19, expected to be charged
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A young bottle shop attendant allegedly stabbed to death minutes before he was due to finish his shift has been remembered as a ‘beautiful boy.’
The horror incident occurred at BWS Airport Tavern bottle shop at Darwin Airport around 9pm on Sunday night.
It’s understood the worker, 19, refused to serve a customer who was allegedly a regular at the store on McMillans Road in Jingili shortly before closing time, sources told Sky News Australia.
Police allege the worker was stabbed with a knife before the offender fled the scene in a vehicle.
He died at the scene, despite desperate attempts by paramedics and shocked witnesses to revive him.
A man, also aged 19, was arrested by police several hours later.
A bottle shop worker was allegedly stabbed to death minutes before closing time at Airport Tavern in Darwin on Sunday night
He remains in police custody and is expected to be charged later on Monday.
Northern Territory Police are also expected to provide more details as investigators continue their inquiries.
Sources claim the man in custody was a regular customer at the bottle shop.
A man who was among the first on scene and tried to save the victim’s life described the worker as a “beautiful boy”.
It’s understood distraught family members rushed to the scene shortly after the incident.
The worker’s death has sparked an outpouring of tributes from the hospitality industry and Endeavour Group, which operates the bottle shop.
‘Our thoughts are with the team member’s family, friends and loved ones,’ Endeavour Group boss Steve Donohue said.
‘We thank the emergency service workers who attended the scene.
‘We will offer counselling and support to all our team members in Darwin across BWS and ALH Hotels, and the team member’s family.’
The tragedy has also saddened federal Senator Jacinta Price, whose Darwin office neighbours the tavern and bottle shop.
The bottle shop worker’s death has sparked an outpouring of tributes, including federal Senator Jacinta Price (pictured)
‘The victim of this horrendous crime is the same age as one of my sons,’ Senator Price said.
‘We cannot continue to experience such horrific and dehumanising crime and violence. The Territory government maybe celebrating a bi-election win but the people of the NT continue to suffer.
‘I can only image the pain the family of this young man is suffering. No more crime no more violence it has to stop!’
The hospitality industry has also been rocked by the tragic death of one of its own.
‘There has been a tragic accident overnight that took the life of a valued member of our industry, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time,’ NT Hospitality said in a statement.
‘We are committed to supporting each other and to ensuring that we honour the memory of our colleague in the best way possible.
‘We will be reaching out to the family to offer our condolences and support.
‘This valued member of our industry came to work yesterday like thousands of other staff around the country, to work in a job he loved, to provide a service to others, to earn a living.
‘His life was cut short by a heinous act of violence. The hospitality industry of the NT and around Australia stands in mourning today.’
Northern Territory Police are expected to give an update later on Monday (stock image)
