MURDERED TEEN'S FAMILY SEEKS ANSWERS
- Staff Writer
- Jun 12
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 16
On the night of April 23, 2025, 18-year-old Ekampreet Singh Sahni was hanging out with his friends at a beach car park in Newcastle, NSW. He spoke to his mother around 10 pm assuring her that he will be home soon. He was shot dead later that night. The accused was 22-year-old Decklen Deaves-Thornton, who was not known to Ekam.
A month later on Sunday, May 25, 2025, Ekam’s family, friends and community members gathered at Bar Beach parking to remember the teenager, seek answers and call for justice.
Ekam’s father Amrinder Singh Sahni, who arrived in Australia with his family in 2020, said they just wanted “justice” for their beloved son.
“A young life taken too soon,” said Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp, who attended the vigil. “Violence has no place in Newcastle.”
Suspect Opened Fire
Ekam’s family had migrated to Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic and settled in Newcastle less than a year ago. Ekam was studying automotive engineering and worked at Harris Farm.
Ekam, had spent the day with his grandparents, who had just arrived from India, before heading to Bar Beach to meet his friends. A scuffle broke out between two groups at the Bar Beach car park. Decklen Deaves-Thornton allegedly arrived in a white SUV, exited the vehicle, and opened fire on Ekam, shooting him in the chest.
He fled the scene, and the vehicle was later abandoned and set on fire in a nearby suburb. Paramedics treated Ekam at the scene just before midnight, but he was pronounced dead shortly after.
'Did Not Intend To Kill'
Deaves-Thornton handed himself in to police two days later and was charged with murder. His lawyer claimed that Deaves-Thornton was “extremely remorseful” but did not intend to kill the teenager.
Deaves-Thornton, who appeared in court via video link, was refused bail, and his next court appearance is scheduled for June 16, 2025.
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