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Community vigil held for Curtis Cheng

Community leaders have lit candles outside the Parramatta police headquarters during a vigil for murdered police accountant Curtis Cheng.

Curtis Cheng Vigil
Members of the local community light candles at a vigil for Curtis Cheng in Sydney on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2015. Mr Cheng, a police accountant, was shot by 15-year-old Farhad Jabar Khalil Mohammad outside the NSW police headquarters on Friday, October 2. (AAP Image/Paul Miller) Source: AAP

Candles have been lit outside Parramatta police headquarters during a community vigil for slain police accountant Curtis Cheng.

About 30 members of Parramatta's multicultural community groups, including leaders, politicians and police, paid tribute to the father of two who was murdered as he left work on October 2 by 15-year-old Farhad Khalil Mohammad Jabar.

"The Chinese community has lost a son. May he rest in peace," NSW Multicultural Communities Council chairman Tony Pun said.

Members of the local community light candles at a vigil for Curtis Cheng in Sydney on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2015. Mr Cheng, a police accountant, was shot by 15-year-old Farhad Jabar Khalil Mohammad outside the NSW police headquarters on Friday, October 2. (
Members of the local community pay tribute at a vigil for Curtis Cheng in Sydney on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2015. Mr Cheng, a police accountant, was shot by 15-year-old Farhad Jabar Khalil Mohammad outside the NSW police headquarters on Friday, October 2. (AAP Image/Paul Miller) Source: AAP

Community leaders took turns to speak in memory of Mr Cheng, a 17-year veteran of the NSW police service.

Parramatta City Council Lord Mayor Paul Garrad said Mr Cheng's death shouldn't be for nothing.

"We will stand together to ensure that the harmony we are so proud of, the harmony that we have experienced in the past, unites us into the future"

"We will stand together to ensure that the harmony we are so proud of, the harmony that we have experienced in the past, unites us into the future," he said.

"It's a sad moment for his family and we feel deeply for them, but it won't be for nothing. Curtis' life won't be for nothing."

The special constable who fatally shot Jabar was also in the minds of those who attended.

"Nobody expects to be shooting a 15-year-old boy," Parramatta MP Julie Owens said.

"Can we all just keep that special constable in our hearts."

She also expressed her condolences to Jabar's family.

"There is a family out there that lost a 15-year-old boy that day, though actions of his own, but nevertheless they lost a son," she said.

Members of the local community light candles at a vigil for Curtis Cheng in Sydney on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2015. Mr Cheng, a police accountant, was shot by 15-year-old Farhad Jabar Khalil Mohammad outside the NSW police headquarters on Friday, October 2. (
Members of the local community light candles at a vigil for Curtis Cheng in Sydney on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2015. Mr Cheng, a police accountant, was shot by 15-year-old Farhad Jabar Khalil Mohammad outside the NSW police headquarters on Friday, October 2. (AAP Image/Paul Miller) Source: AAP

2 min read

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Source: AAP



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