Witnesses have described harrowing scenes in a quiet neighbourhood after a teenage boy was allegedly deliberately hit and killed by a car overnight in Melbourne.
Police launched a homicide investigation after injured 16-year-old Elijah Agua died on the street in Taylors Lakes, in Melbourne's north-west.
Detectives believe Elijah was deliberately struck by a car as he crossed a road with a group of teenagers.
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A witness said she held the dying boy while another neighbour performed CPR.
"It was just heartwrenching to think that somebody had to do that to the young boy," she said.
"It doesn't matter what sort of character he is … nobody deserves to die like that."
Police said the group was targeted as they crossed Chichester Dve around 7pm when the car drove at and struck three teenagers in the group before fleeing the scene.
Friends close to the St Albans Secondary College student described him as "innocent" and "warm-hearted".
The victim's ex-girlfriend Isabella Emini said she was disgusted and angry at the boy's death.
"He was my first love, I was his first true love and it hurts me, it really hurts me," she said.
"He was young, he had a good heart, he always showed love, he always showed respect, always showed loyalty to the ones he actually loved."
Paramedics were called to Chichester Drive in Taylors Lakes in the city's north-west but the boy died at the scene.
Two other boys, a 16-year-old from Melton and 15-year-old from Keilor Downs, were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Homicide Squad detectives, along with the Major Collision Investigation Unit, are working to establish the exact circumstances of the incident.
Anyone who witnessed the incident, has CCTV, dashcam footage or any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online