A grieving dad has issued a heartfelt plea after his son was fatally stabbed in a wild brawl involving machetes less than two years after the family experienced another violent tragedy.  

Lino Atem, 24, was hanging out with friends in the car park of Haines Drive Reserve in Wyndham Vale in south-west Melbourne at about 11.30pm on Friday night when he and the group were ambushed by at least a dozen males armed with ‘edged weapons.

The young tradie suffered stab wounds and died at the scene, which is just 100m from his home.

Two men were also injured in the attack, including Lino’s brother Mading, 27, who remains in hospital. The alleged attackers remain on the run.

The tragedy comes on top of the family mourning Lino’s oldest brother Atem Atem, who was shot and killed at the family’s Wyndham Vale home in February 2023.

No arrests have been made over the murders of Atem, 29, and a friend who was at the home at the time. The family dog was also killed.

Mr Atem fears Lino’s case could be a repeat.

‘I need justice, of course,’ Mr Atem told Seven News on Sunday. 

Lino Atem, 24, was killed about 11.30pm on Friday after being ambushed in the carpark of Haines Drive Reserve in the south west Melbourne suburb of Wyndham Vale

‘I want justice immediately. I’m waiting for the government and police to catch these people.’ 

Mr Atem is ‘very sad’ that he will now bury a second son.

‘When I wake up and see the news I cry again, me and my son. We cry this morning about Lino,’ he said.

‘He do everything for me. Try to help me’.

Mr Atem’s fourth son worked as a bricklayer and was a talented basketball player who idolised NBA superstar LeBron James.

Lino was just weeks away from celebrating his 25th birthday.

Another 27-year-old man suffered non life-threatening injuries in the incident. 

Lino’s father, Deng Atem, has called for the government and police to catch his son’s killers, something they failed to after a previous family tragedy

Police say they are reviewing CCTV footage of the incident but it appeared to be a targeted and ferocious attack

One of the last people to speak to Lino before he died told the Herald Sun that the 24-year-old was about to return to his nearby home when he was attacked.

Police believe the ‘ferocious’ attack appeared to be targeted.

‘It appears to have taken the people who were here by surprise,’ Inspector Paul Lloyd said.

‘There’s no doubt whoever was (swinging) the blows has had some clear intent to cause serious damage and probably kill him (Lino).’

Four men from the original group were arrested for their initial involvement in the fight. 

All have since been released and no charges have been laid.

Lino was just weeks away from celebrating his 25th birthday

No weapons were recovered at the scene. 

Police are reviewing some ‘good CCTV’ but urged anyone who may have additional CCTV or dashcam to come forward.

‘While we don’t know what the story is behind this yet I’m sure there is one and we’ll do everything we can to uncover it,’ Insp Lloyd said.

‘We’re very keen to get the bottom of what’s happened here.’