Latest news with #Ekampreet
7NEWS
05-05-2025
- 7NEWS
Migrant family in deep shock over alleged murder of Ekampreet Sahni
A heartbroken father has described the moment when two police turned up at his family home to tell him and his wife their son had been gunned down. Ekampreet Sahni, 18, was allegedly murdered by a man who police say got out of car, opened fire on the victim and drove off in a white SUV on April 23. Sahni had been hanging out at a Newcastle beach car park about 10 minutes' drive from his home. Paramedics treated the 18-year-old for a gunshot wound in his chest but he died just before midnight. 'He was a good boy, very hard-working and caring for everyone,' his father Arminder Singh Sahni told AAP. 'It is still such a huge shock for us. We can't believe he's gone.' Sahni said he and his wife had tried calling Ekampreet several times and were worried for his safety when he did not pick up. They had last heard from him about 10pm, and their worst fears were realised when police officers knocked on their door about 2am. 'He told us 'I am coming back' but after we didn't hear until 11pm, I then called twice, and then we got the news he was gone, the two policemen came home and they told us,' an emotional Sahni said. The Sikh family had migrated to Sydney at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 to be closer to family and settled in Newcastle less than a year ago. They are on a temporary visa and hope to secure permanent residency, adding another layer of stress to the family as they prepare to bury their son. Sahni said Ekampreet was ambitious and studying automotive engineering with dreams of running his own business. 'He was always helpful and caring for everyone around him, from his grandparents to his younger brother,' he said. A scuffle between two groups of people had broken out before the shooting. Accused killer Decklen Deaves-Thornton, 22, later handed himself to police and was charged with murder. He appeared in court via video link on April 26 and will appear in a Newcastle court in June. The vehicle Deaves-Thornton was allegedly driving was later found on fire in a nearby suburb. Police described the alleged shooting as 'a senseless incident' which the 'community won't stand for'. Surrounded by friends and family, the Sahnis are preparing for their son's funeral on Wednesday at Beresfield Gurudwara Sahib where hundreds of people are expected to pay tribute. A fundraiser has been set up by the tight-knit Sikh community.
Perth Now
05-05-2025
- Perth Now
Alleged teen murder leaves migrant family in deep shock
Arminder Singh Sahni has described the moment when two police turned up at his family home to tell him and his wife that their son had been gunned down. Ekampreet, 18, was allegedly murdered by a man who police say exited his vehicle, opened fire on the victim and fled the scene in a white SUV on April 23. The teen had been hanging out at the car park of a Newcastle beach, about 10 minutes' drive from his home. Paramedics treated the 18-year-old for a gunshot wound in his chest just before midnight, but he died at the scene. "He was a good boy, very hard-working and caring for everyone," Mr Sahni told AAP. "It is still such a huge shock for us. We can't believe he's gone." Mr Sahni said he and his wife had tried calling Ekampreet several times and were worried for his safety when he did not pick up. They had last heard from him about 10pm, and their worst fears were realised when police officers knocked on their door around 2am, hours after their son had been killed. "He told us 'I am coming back' but after we didn't hear until 11pm, I then called call twice and then we got the news he was gone, the two policemen came at home and they told us," an emotional Mr Sahni said. The Sikh family had migrated to Sydney at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 to be closer to family, and had settled in Newcastle less than a year ago. They are on a temporary 485 visa and hope to secure permanent residency, adding another layer of stress to the family as they prepare to bury their son. Mr Sahni said Ekampreet was ambitious and studying automotive engineering with dreams of running his own business. "He was always helpful and caring for everyone around him from his grandparents to his younger brother." A scuffle between two groups of people had broken out before the shooting. The 22-year-old alleged killer, Decklen Deaves-Thornton, was arrested in Newcastle after being on the run for two days before handing himself to police. He appeared in court via video on April 26 charged with murder, and will appear in a Newcastle court in June. The vehicle Mr Deaves-Thornton was allegedly driving was later found on fire in a nearby suburb. Police described the alleged shooting as "a senseless incident" which the "community won't stand for". Surrounded by friends and family, the Sahnis are preparing for their son's funeral on Wednesday at the Beresfield Gurudwara Sahib, where hundreds of people are expected to pay tribute. A fundraiser set up by the tight-knit Sikh community has so far raised more than $55,000 for the family.
SBS Australia
29-04-2025
- SBS Australia
Tragic death of 18-year-old Ekampreet Singh Sahni in Newcastle sparks grief and calls for justice
Police have arrested a 21-year-old man, who was recently released on bail, in connection with the murder. Ekampreet spent the day with his grandparents, who had arrived from India just hours before the tragedy. Ekampreet, a young man with a bright future ahead of him, migrated to Australia in 2020 with his family from Rajpura, Punjab. 18 years old Ekam Sahni's old picture. Credit: Supplied In an emotional interview with SBS Punjabi, Ekampreet's father Amrinder Sahni shared their ongoing wait for justice. "On the night of the incident, Ekam spent the day at home with his grandparents, who had just arrived the very same day from India. Around 10 pm, he left to meet friends at a local beach." "Ekam had spoken to his mother over the phone and assured her that he would return shortly. Tragically, that was the last time we heard from Ekam," Mr Sahni said. The community is in shock and despair after 18-year-old Ekam Sahni's tragic death. Credit: Supplied What began as a typical evening for a young man turned into a nightmare. Reports indicate that after a minor argument at a beach car park, Ekam was shot in the chest. Following the shooting, the vehicle involved was set on fire a short distance from the place of the tragedy. In a statement shared with SBS Punjabi, NSW Police have advised that a 22-year-old has been arrested at Newcastle Police station and is charged with murder. "The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are continuing to piece together the details surrounding the tragic event," the police said. Ekam Sahni's father, Amrinder Sahni, with Ekam's mother. Credit: Supplied Community leaders like Amar Singh have expressed their outrage over the senseless killing. "We are calling for a thorough investigation to ensure justice is served", said Mr Singh. Before the tragedy, Ekam was studying automotive engineering and had dreams of opening his own workshop. As the investigation continues, Ekam's family is still trying to come to terms with their loss. Police have further appealed to the community to contact them on 1800 333 000 or email in case anyone has any information on this case. Click on the audio icon to listen to the full report and interview in Punjabi. For news, information and interviews in Punjabi from across Australia and homeland, you can tune in to SBS Punjabi live from Monday to Friday at 4pm on on digital radio, on channel 305 on your television, via the or stream from our . Also, follow us on and .
