US gangs may have inspired school attack
April 08, 2008 12:00am

Suburban gangs blamed for schoolyard attack
Fears they are inspired by American gang culture
Group boasts on the internet about its activities

GLORIFICATION of American gang violence may be behind a horrific schoolyard attack involving five boys as young as 14 armed with machetes and baseball bats.

Students of Merrylands High School yesterday blamed the emergence of young self-styled suburban gangs in Sydney's west for the attack.

Members of a group calling itself Gee40, made up of youths from Merrylands and Guildford, carried out the brazen, violent rampage, pupils told The Daily Telegraph.

Police said they were aware of the existence of Gee40 as one of a number of so-called gangs in Sydney's west, but they were still investigating whether there was any link.

However, it is believed the attack may have had a more personal motivation, with the five attending the school to seek out a male student over a grudge about a girl.

The five, aged from 14 to 16 and dressed in jeans and hooded jumpers, launched a spectacular attack on 750 students gathered for morning school assembly in the school quadrangle about 8.50pm.

Gee-40 emulates American "gangsta" rappers and boast about their run-ins with police on the internet.

Gang talk dominates their web chatter as members list their crimes and talk up their brushes with the law.

On one website dedicated to the suburban gangs of Sydney, Guildford Gee-40 is listed. The site features numerous photos of youths of Pacific Islander background brandishing weapons.

The site is also peppered with photos of graffiti with the words "Gee-40" scrawled on a wall.

The website, entitled "Juvenile Justice and the Gangs of NSW", claims to feature "juvinile (sic) gangs ripping through Sydney".

One blogger, Brett, says: "We can f... with da law about 1 in 100 things i do i get charged for so f... u".

Another writer, calling himself I luv Carly, says: "F... da cops" and lists his crimes as assault, grievous bodily harm, attempted murder, break and enter, possession of an illegal weapon, and armed robbery.

"Might be doing 6 to 18 months," he said.

Gee40 is one of a number of juvenile "gangs" that inhabit parts of Sydney's west.

There are gangs that say they hail from suburbs including Guildford, Merrylands, Parramatta, Auburn and Granville.

They form largely along ethnic backgrounds and congregate on neighbourhood streets as they flirt with the law - carrying out offences such as street robberies.

However, police claim they are not organised gangs. Rather, the groups give themselves names to make themselves feel important.

Detective Inspector Jim Stewart said police were stunned by the brazenness of yesterday's incident.

"It beggars belief they would attempt this kind of activity against innocent students," Insp Stewart said.

"The information to us is they were coming here ... seeking someone."

Ambulance officers said 18 children and one teacher suffered minor injuries, including from the broken glass.

A male teacher, 43, was injured when bashed on the head from behind, as he tried to confront the attackers.

A 13-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl sustained minor facial injuries.

All were taken to Westmead Hospital for observation before being released.

Outside the school, students told The Daily Telegraph they believed the attack to be linked to a local gang known as Gee40. The gang - a loose gathering of youths who commit petty crime - is understood to be comprised of members of Pacific Islander and Maori background based around Guildford and Merrylands.

One year 12 student, Tina, told The Daily Telegraph the attackers came to the school in search of a year 11 student.

She said the gang was made up of local youths who did not attend school.

The youths were expected to be charged last night with offences including affray and malicious damage.

The arrested youths were two 14-year-olds from Carramar and Auburn, two 15-year-olds from Merrylands and Seven Hills, and a 16-year-old from Merrylands.

One of the five is believed to have been bailed for armed robbery just last week.

They were expected to be remanded in custody to face Parramatta Children's Court today. The Education Department said security would be reviewed.

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