16-Year-Old Stabbed To Death During Birthday Party At Airbnb Home

A 16-year-old boy was fatally stabbed and two others were injured on Friday, Aug. 13, during an attack at a birthday party at a Christchurch Airbnb.

Police officers responded to a residential property in Medbury Tce, Fendalton, New Zealand, after receiving reports of a serious assault on Friday night.

Responding officers located three males, aged 14, 16, and 17, profusely bleeding from serious stab wounds.

The teen victims were rushed to the Christchurch Hospital, where 16-year-old Zion Purukamu, of Hoon Hay, was later pronounced dead.

The other two victims were undergoing treatment at the hospital. They were reported to be in a serious, but stable condition on Saturday afternoon.

The fatal incident unfolded as the alcohol-fuelled birthday party of around 80 youths apparently spiraled out of control.

The holiday home that can be hired for up to eight guests, however, turned into a madhouse after more people turned up.

One of the company’s directors, Susan Harrison, said the home was booked for two people and had no idea they were teenagers.

"We checked with them, 'Is there only two guests coming?’ It's a three-bedroom house – that was unusual. When they book on Airbnb we don't see their address... it was a verified address, so we weren't able to tell where they were from," she said.

A woman whose daughter was at the party told the Herald that a "young boy" instigated a fight after he was turned away from the property.

The woman, who did not wish to be named, said a group of boys outside the house were ambushed by others "waiting in the dark".

"The young boys had no idea what was about to happen," the mother said.

The police have not arrested any suspects. They said an investigation is ongoing and they talking to everyone who was at the party.

Detective Inspector Scott Anderson said "police extend our sympathies to his whānau (close family), and we are providing them with support alongside Victim Support. A post-mortem has been completed today."

Anderson is urging anyone with information about "Operation Medbury" to come forward and report to the authorities.

"Police are determined to locate the person or people responsible for this senseless incident," he said.