SYDNEY—A man was charged with murder after allegedly decapitating his father in Australia on Thursday, with reports saying he was killed as he attempted to intervene in a fight between his son and wife.
Toufic Zahab, 69, died after he was reportedly attacked with a brick and a knife inside his home in a western Sydney suburb.
Police confirmed the man’s head was cut off and his wife was being treated for shock after the attack allegedly carried out by their son Khoder, 42.
“A man has been charged with murder following the death of a man at Bankstown this morning,” police said in a statement.
“Police were called to the home… shortly after 6:00 am today, responding to reports of a domestic violence incident.”
Khoder was arrested at the home after a short struggle and was later charged with his father’s murder as well as common assault and assaulting police.
“The scene itself is quite disturbing. It’s been a difficult morning for both the family and the police, and ambulance (staff) are currently looking after their welfare,” acting Bankstown superintendent Glen Fitzgerald said.
Relatives gathered outside the house told media that the son pushed his mother down the stairs and then attacked his father when he tried to intervene.
Zahab’s grandson Abdul, told the Sydney Morning Herald: “Everyone’s devastated and shocked.
“He was a wonderful man, a beautiful man, well known in the community. This is the most unexpected thing that could occur.”