A flatmate of the student who allegedly stabbed his teacher at Avondale College has told 3 News the attack was racially motivated.
The student was 17-year-old Tae Won Chung, originally from South Korea.
His flatmate claims the teacher made a derogatory remark to Chung about his hometown after he fell asleep in class, but police say that is not the case.
Chung's court appearance today lasted less than 10 minutes and nothing was mentioned about what led up to yesterday's incident and the hour-long chase that followed. But back at Chung's home in Avondale, his flatmate John Park said there had been tensions between Chung and his teacher for some time.
"The teacher was telling him about how North Koreans are going to 'shoot you and kill you', or something like that, and he got really angry."
Mr Park gave Chung a lift on his motor scooter soon after the attack at Avondale College. He was taken away by police but was not charged.
Mr Park says the comments made by the teacher a day before the incident were insulting.
"It's just like telling an Iraqi dude that 'the Americans are going to kill you', you know. It's very offensive coming from a non-Korean, and especially from a teacher."
Anonymous emails sent to 3 News from other students seem to support his claims. One said: "He specifically picked on this student over the course of the previous year that he attended Avondale College."
But outside court, police dismissed racist remarks as a reason for the attack.
"It's a bit far fetched," says Detective Pete Steward of Avondale police.
Avondale College's principal says speculation about why the attack happened is not helpful.
Mr Park says his flatmate was a quiet person and any violence would be out of character.
"From school when I picked him up he kept on saying sorry to me about what happened and asking, 'What's going to happen to me?'. He was scared."
Chung was remanded in custody for a fortnight while a psychiatric report is prepared. His father is due to arrive from Korea tomorrow to support his son.
3 News
source: newshub archive
