Harrowing Stabbing Spree Rocks Merrylands, Man Charged with Murder
A shocking stabbing spree that claimed one life and left two others fighting for their lives has sent waves of fear through the Merrylands community. Disturbing CCTV footage has surfaced, capturing the brutal commencement of the attack that has led to a 25-year-old man being charged with murder and attempted murder. The accused, Setefano Mooniai Leaaetoa, was refused bail when he appeared in Parramatta Local Court, with his case next scheduled for March 4.
The terrifying incident unfolded on Tuesday along Merrylands Road, with the initial attack occurring within a Nepalese grocery store. Security footage from inside the shop shows a man, clad in a white shirt, grey trousers, and a bucket hat, approaching the counter. Without warning, he allegedly stabs a 47-year-old woman in the neck before fleeing the premises. A worker inside the store rushed to the aid of the critically injured woman. Tragically, another man was also stabbed within the confines of the shop.
Further CCTV footage from the store’s entrance provides a chilling glimpse of the attacker exiting the building. He is seen walking along the footpath before allegedly launching a vicious, unprovoked assault on an unsuspecting male passer-by. The footage captures the victim clutching his neck, desperately seeking help from those nearby.
The violence did not cease there. The rampage continued down the street, with the crime scene eventually spanning approximately 50 metres. The 38-year-old man who was fatally wounded in the attack tragically died at the scene. A 21-year-old man sustained critical injuries and was rushed to hospital, where he remains in a serious condition. The woman who was first attacked is also receiving treatment in hospital and is in a critical state.
Quick Arrest Follows Violent Outburst
Following the alleged attacks, police quickly established a perimeter and began a search for the offender. Setefano Mooniai Leaaetoa was apprehended on nearby Smythe Street, reportedly not long after the alleged assaults. A knife, believed to be the weapon used in the attacks, was allegedly seized at the time of his arrest. Police allege the kitchen knife had a blade measuring between 20 and 30 centimetres.
Leaaetoa was transported to Granville Police Station, where he was formally charged with one count of murder and two counts of attempted murder. His subsequent appearance at Parramatta Local Court saw his bail application refused.
A History of Mental Health Concerns
Information has emerged that Leaaetoa was known to police for previous encounters involving petty crime and mental health incidents. Significantly, it has been revealed that he had absconded from mental health treatment just 10 days prior to the alleged stabbing spree, while he was being transferred between hospitals.
The Western Sydney Local Health District confirmed in a statement that an individual allegedly involved in the incident had recently been a patient receiving acute inpatient care for complex mental health needs. This person had reportedly absconded from care during a transfer from Cumberland Hospital to Westmead Hospital’s emergency department for further assessment. The health district stated that NSW Police were notified, and contact was made with the patient’s family, but all attempts to reach the individual by the health district were unsuccessful. A formal review into the man’s treatment and care is to be conducted, which will include an external senior psychiatrist. The health district also extended its sympathies to the first responders who have been affected by the incident.
Witness Accounts Paint a Grim Picture
Eyewitnesses have described the scenes on Merrylands Road as “harrowing.” Residents recounted hearing terrifying screams, witnessing pedestrians fleeing in panic, and others bravely rushing to the aid of the bleeding victims.
One local resident, Joseph Roussini, 59, told of his shock after hearing a woman “screaming for her life.” He reported seeing a man and a woman emerge from a shop, with the man holding the woman by the neck and blood pouring from her injuries. He described bystanders rushing to help, and the agonizing wait for paramedics, where “every second felt like a year.”
Another shop owner heard a scream and observed people “sprinting” down the street in fear. A woman, who preferred to remain anonymous, recounted seeing numerous dark police cars patrolling the area and helicopters circling overhead shortly after the incident. She expressed her distress, stating, “It was really harrowing. I don’t feel safe.”
The alleged rampage extended across a significant portion of the block, with police forensic markers and medical equipment visible along the street. The area, located near Granville MP Julia Finn’s office, was a scene of chaos and distress.
Riot police were instrumental in securing the area, meticulously searching gardens and properties before Leaaetoa’s arrest. Footage released by NSW Police showed the handcuffed and barefoot man being escorted from a police wagon into Granville Police Station.
Superintendent Simon Glasser acknowledged the confronting nature of the incident, stating that while police quickly locked down the area, it took approximately 40 minutes to locate the alleged offender. “It was highly confronting. It’s a horrible offence to have taken place,” Glasser commented.
None of the victims were known to each other, adding to the senseless nature of the violence that has deeply shaken the Merrylands community.
