VIC: Stabbed teacher aide dies, police hunt on target

AAP General News (Australia)
12-20-1998
VIC: Stabbed teacher aide dies, police hunt on target

By Sue Green

MELBOURNE, Dec 20 AAP - The 34-year-old teacher's aide stabbed in the head by a thief at an
inner Melbourne school last week died this morning at St Vincent's hospital without regaining
consciousness.

Peter Orr was declared brain dead by two doctors at the hospital at 9.48am, a hospital
spokesman said.

As relatives announced they had donated his organs and approved the setting up of a trust
fund for his 10-year-old son, Jackson, police revealed their investigation was now "following
a clear path".

Senior Detective Simon Cusack of Richmond CIB said a caller who phoned the anonymous Crime
Stoppers line soon after Tuesday's attack had called again. Inquiries made as a result had
been "fruitful", he said.

Mr Orr was stabbed in the forehead by a youth, aged 16 to 18, caught rifling bags in the
office of the principal of Lynall Hall Community school.

Mr Cusack said items had been stolen, but refused to reveal what was missing.

Nobody has been arrested, and the investigation is now with the homicide squad.

Premier Jeff Kennett paid tribute to Mr Orr and offered government condolences to his
family.

"Peter has paid a tragic price for his dedication in serving the Victorian community and my
heartfelt sympathy goes out to all his family, friends and colleagues," he said.

He described the killer as a "part of humanity which has absolutely no place in our
society" who he hoped he would soon be caught and punished.

State Education Minister Phil Gude also extended his deepest sympathies to Mr Orr's family.

A government spokesperson said six counsellors would be at the school tomorrow to provide
whatever help was needed by Mr Orr's bereaved colleagues.

Mr Cusack today repeated the police appeal for witnesses to the stabbing.

Following the attack, the youth fled the school, and drove erratically from a nearby
carpark in a late model white sedan which may have had a smashed back left window, he said.

He called on anyone who saw the car, or any vehicle which attracted their attention, to
come forward.

Mr Orr's sister, Brenda Webb, said Mr Orr was separated from Jackson's mother, his former
partner, but had a close and loving relationship with his son, whom he saw twice a week.

"He is a very brave little boy," she said.

"An act of random violence and you have got a fatherless child and a single income mother,"
Ms Webb said.

She said her brother's courage in tackling the intruder was typical and his death was "a
case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time".

Ms Webb, a former primary school teacher, said she opposed moves to tighten security at
schools along American lines.

"I would not like to see our society be like that."

A memorial service for Mr Orr will be held on Wednesday. Students from his school will take
part.

AAP sjg/ra/cjh/de

KEYWORD: TEACHER NIGHTLEAD

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