Detective Inspector Michael Smith told media on Monday that Reid Ludwig, 41, had visited the Coles Express on Roselyn Avenue at 2.50pm on Sunday to return a hire trailer when he became involved in an altercation with two youths he had never met before.

"Police will allege that a verbal altercation occurred between Mr Ludwig and one of the youths," he said.

"This led to a very minor physical confrontation which then quickly escalated and tragically culminated in Mr Ludwig being fatally stabbed."

Inspector Smith said Mr Ludwig was stabbed once in the stomach and was assisted by members of the public and staff at the service station before paramedics arrived.

The youth was arrested at the scene and later charged with murder.