Northbridge stabbing: Friend of Manar Pan Mading claims victim tried to break up fight before he was killed

A friend of the young man who was fatally stabbed in Northbridge over the weekend claims his mate was just trying to break up a fight when his accused killer plunged a knife into his chest. Brian Fitzsimmons’ claims come after Samuel Mohamed Lamin Bah faced Perth Magistrates Court on Monday accused of taking 28-year-old Mark (Manar) Pan Mading’s life. He told The West Australian the construction worker, who loved basketball, had been out with his cousin that night when the tragic incident occurred. “He was trying to help out in the brawl to get his cousin away from trouble,” Mr Fitzsimmons told The West Australian. “He was that guy to always help out when s*** was going wrong, always cared about his mates. He was a beautiful soul.” Earlier, Mr Pan Mading’s grief-stricken family and friends struggled to contain their emotions after Mr Bah appeared in court. Clutching each other as they walked down the stairs of Perth Magistrates Court it was clear to see that for some the weight of losing their beloved relative and friend was too great to bear. Just two days ago the 28-year-old’s promising life was cut short after he was allegedly stabbed by Mr Bah during a confrontation between a group of young men outside the Republic Night Club early on Saturday, November 27. Adding to their pain was the revelation in court the 18-year-old was already on bail for a serious assault. Police officers patrolling the area that night witnessed the incident unfold but by the time they arrived, Mr Pan Mading had been wounded. He was rushed to hospital but died of his injuries a short time later. Another man in his 20s was found nearby and was also taken to Royal Perth Hospital with stab wounds. He remained in hospital over the weekend. Shortly after the chaotic brawl, police arrested two men — an 18-year-old and a 19-year-old — near the scene. They were taken into custody and questioned with police charging Mr Bah with murder on Monday. During his brief court appearance, the hearing was told the Mr Bah, who was dressed in a black polo T-shirt and olive green trousers and spoke only to confirm his name, was already on bail on two other charges — assault occasioning bodily harm and giving false personal details to police — and had been due to appear in another court on those charges that same day. His lawyer, Louis Kristopher, told the hearing he did not have instructions on those charges and asked they be adjourned to another date. He also requested the murder charge be adjourned for further legal advice. Mr Bah did not apply for bail. Mr Bah’s mother, who was also present during the court hearing, did not speak as she left court. But her son’s lawyer ,Mr Kristopher, revealed she had not seen her son for three days and was still in shock over what happened. When asked what his client was like, he said he did not want to make any comment in relation to his character saying what occurred over the weekend was a “very sad outcome for all the families involved”. Following Mr Pan Mading’s death, dozens of family and friends paid tribute to the 28-year-old on social media including Richmond AFLW defender, Akec Makur Chout. “Rest In Peace brother Mark,” she posted. “Thinking of you all. Sending prayers and condolences.” “Lost two brothers this year, pls y’all look out for each other when going out and wilding out, anything could happen just like that,” Tata Raea Heather posted on Sunday. “It’s sad these days, people gotta roam with knifes for what? Back in the days was just toe to toe but now table turned. So plz look out for each other when going out, and stay safe. Rest easy Mark Pan Mading your a real one my ghee.” Mr Bah is expected to appear in court again in December.