The grieving father of a 20-year-old liquor store worker from Darwin in Australia's Norther Territory has revealed the chilling final text his son sent to him before being stabbed.
Speaking to Darwin's Mix FM radio station the father - who wishes to remain anonymous - spoke about the devastating message his son sent him at 8:45 PM on Sunday (March 19).
The young liquor store worker - Declan Laverty - had been on the job at a popular drive-thru Australian liquor chain Beer Wine Spirits (BWS) at The Airport Tavern in Jingili, a suburb in the north of the city.
It was during this shift that Declan was attacked with a knife, according to News.com.au.
Shortly before he passed and before emergency services arrived on the scene, Declan texted his father: "Love you, I've been stabbed." Concerned, his father took an Uber to the BWS store, given that Declan had taken the family's car to his shift. When he arrived, emergency services were already there.
Devastated, his father told Mix FM: "He loved his football, and he was really into music at the moment. He was trying to get some songs released and studying as well and working 30-odd hours a week at the BWS airport. It's just little things. When I come home his dinner is in the fridge from last night."
7News Australia sadly reported that Declan had passed away before emergency services reached him, and that a 19-year-old man had fled the scene. Fortunately, he was apprehended and taken into the custody of Northern Territory police, and was subsequently charged with one count of murder and another count of aggravated robbery.
Police believe the perpetrator is linked to another violent attack from the same day. That incident involved someone being assaulted with a bottle at the Beachfront Hotel.
"[The 19-year-old male was] potentially [linked to] a third incident earlier in the evening in Karama, where a young person was assaulted and a number of items were stolen from them while they were on a street," Northern Territory Police Assistant Commissioner Michael White told reporters on Monday (March 20).
Declan's uncle, Owen, released a statement (via 7News Australia) about his nephew, saying: "I appreciate every kind word said about him, and the gesture honestly makes me tear up - to realise people who knew him up in Darwin, and those who didn't, all have had the very best things to say ... I couldn't be prouder."
Endeavour Group - the company that owns the store Declan was working at - also issued a statement. "Endeavour Group can confirm that, following a serious incident last night at BWS Drive Through Bottle Shop at The Airport Tavern in Darwin, a team member has tragically passed away," CEO Steve Donohue said. "Our thoughts are with the team member's family, friends and loved ones. We thank the emergency service workers who attended the scene."
