Police arrested 19 youths after they turned up in court yesterday (Oct 10) to support Louis Tong Qing Yao, 16, the fifth person to be charged with Darren Ng's murder at Downtown East.

The youths, aged between 17 and 22, are believed to be gang members.

Darren Ng, 19, was chased by a group of youths with choppers and hacked to death at the main foyer of Downtown East entertainment hub between 5.30pm and 5.37pm on Oct 30.

Police have indicated that Darren might have been involved in gang activities himself, and that his death was not caused by a staring incident.

Yesterday, Tong looked expressionless in the dock as he was charged with the murder of Darren Ng. He also faces three loanshark harassment charges.

On Nov 2, he had allegedly scribbled "O$P$" -- which means "owe money, pay money" -- with a marker at Bishan, Serangoon North and Hougang, and also splashed black paint on the door and windows of the Hougang flat.

According to the report on The Straits Times, at least five people who appeared to be his friends were seated in a row when Tong was brought into the dock yesterday.

They were seen trying to make eye contact with him, but he did not seem to notice them.

Steven Chow, 62, told The Straits Times that he saw more than a dozen young men gathering at the side of the Subordinate Courts building at about 10 am yesterday.

He said: "They were all young and appeared to be taking instructions from a tall guy."

He heard from his friends that the men were later arrested by police.

Watch the RazorTV video:

19 arrested, five charged in connection with Downtown East murder