A Darwin security officer allegedly bashed in the head with a 700ml bottle of spirits the same night BWS bottle shop worker Declan Laverty was fatally stabbed says he feels painfully linked to the tragedy.
WARNING: This story includes an image of an injury that some readers may find disturbing.
Reuben Thurbon, 26, was working a shift at popular northern suburbs pub The Beachfront on Sunday night, when a group of young men allegedly tried to rob the adjoining bottle shop.
Mr Thurbon was allegedly attacked and struck in the head with the bottle.
Now, he says, he has had six stitches behind his ear and "bad shooting pain" in the back of his head following the alleged incident.
"The bosses have given me a few days off to heal … and [they've] really been on my side with the emotional side of stuff as well, just because of how there was so much that happened that night," he said.
Later that same night, less than four kilometres away, Mr Laverty, 20, was allegedly stabbed to death in a Jingili bottle shop.
NT Police have charged 19-year-old Keith Kerinauia with murder over the incident.
Darwin Local Court has heard Kerinauia was out on bail at the time of the incident, which police will allege happened after members of a group he was with were refused service at the shop.
Police have also charged three other people who were allegedly involved in separate but connected incidents earlier on Sunday night – including the attack on Mr Thurbon.
Two boys, aged 15 and 16, have been charged with aggravated robbery.
Mr Thurbon said he'd been "beating [himself] up" over the horrific events that transpired that night.
"If I could've done more," he said. "Police have also been calling me and reassuring me that there was nothing I could've done, and obviously I didn't believe that at first.
"I do feel linked to it ... same night. It all happened at once."
Security officer not optimistic for change
Mr Thurbon said he'd been in the Northern Territory for seven years and had never experienced the level of violent crime at work as during the past six to 12 months.
"It has been hectic — it makes you just not want to do it. It would make any security guard anxious about going to work every day," he said.
"It's just endless violence at the moment."
Earlier this week, the Northern Territory government announced a suite of measures in response to Mr Laverty's death, including a review of bail laws and potential new police powers.
Mr Thurbon said he would hold off on any optimism for change until he sees some results.
"I don't really have much faith in the government at the moment," he said.
"Not until I see something work."
Mr Thurbon was expecting to head back to his work as a security officer from this Sunday March 26.
