Boy killed by his Father on Cricket Pitch in front of Horrified Friends

What started as an innocent game of cricket after school ended in tragedy after an 11 year old boy was killed by his own father on the cricket pitch in front of his friends, their families and his mother. The incident occurred during a training session at a pitch in Melbourne Australia, the 11 year-old boy, named as Luke Batty died at the scene after he was viciously attacked by his father with a cricket bat and a knife.
The boy’s father was shot by police after the incident and died of gunshot injuries. He killed his son, by bashing his head in with a cricket bat before stabbing him. When paramedics arrived they tried in vain to save the young boy, however his injuries were serious and he died at the scene in front of horrified on lookers. The cricket ground in the suburb of Tyabb was full of children and families watching the training including the young victim’s mother, Rosie Batty. She has spoken of her grief over the tragic death of her son Luke and she said that the boy’s father did love him very much.
Ms Batty told Channel Nine: “What triggered this was a case of his dad having mental health issues. He was in a homelessness situation for many years, his life was failing, everything was becoming worse in his life, and Luke was the only bright light in his life. No one loved Luke more than his father. No one loved Luke more than me – we both loved him. I’m in shock, disbelief, (but I have) the amazing support of my family and friends. My family are from England and they are coming out now. And what I want to share with you is: I’m the victim of family violence, and if anything comes out of this, I want it to be a lesson to everybody.”
When police arrived at the scene, on Wednesday evening, a man armed with a knife confronted them. Four officers attempted to talk the man down however he could not be, so they discharged pepper spray and then shot him once in the chest when the spray had no effect.
Regional police commander Doug Fryer said: “We’ve had an absolute tragedy here tonight. It’s a horrific scene. My officers were confronted by a man with a knife. They’ve attempted to talk him down. Any attempt to talk him down was unsuccessful and they’ve discharged a firearm, hitting him once in the chest. It’s obviously shattering.”
Commander Fryer added: It’s something that thankfully we don’t see too often but still far too often. I don’t know how a parent gets through losing a young boy in these sorts of circumstances.”
Many of the witnesses to the incident were young children, friends of Luke Batty who were practising cricket after school. Rosie Batty stated that he’d felt no reason to fear for his safety. Despite the estranged husband’s known mental health issues. There currently is some speculation that this horrific attack could have been pre-planned by the boy’s father. That he wanted to kill his son, then die by suicide by cop. According the boys mother Luke trusted his father and although he was known to have a violent temper she believed he was safe.