Justice plea as heartbroken family farewells slain son

The teen had been hanging out with friends at the car park of a Newcastle beach about 10 minutes drive from his home.

Paramedics treated him for a gunshot wound in his chest just before midnight but he died at the scene in the NSW Hunter region on April 23.

Mourners surrounded his coffin in Newcastle Memorial Park's chapel on Wednesday.

The crowd spilled outside, where some retreated to wipe away tears.

The occasional wail could be heard cutting through music as a slideshow displayed photos of Mr Sahni.

Ethan Macleod told reporters it was heartbreaking to farewell his loving friend who taught him so much.

"He deserves every bit of respect and doesn't deserve a single thing that's happened to him," he said.

Arminder Singh Sahni said his son was ambitious and studying automotive engineering with dreams of running a business.

"He was always helpful and caring for everyone around him from his grandparents to his younger brother," he said.

Sikh advocate Amar Singh told reporters justice was needed for the teenager's death.

"Because this is a crime against humanity, a crime against local Newcastle people, and these sort of criminals do not belong with us."

David, a neighbour, recalled meeting Mr Sahni after the teenager heard him praying and chanting and showed an interest in learning about his religion.

A fundraiser set up by the Sikh community has so far raised more than $55,000 for the Sahni family.

The Indian family migrated to Sydney at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 to be closer to family, settling in Newcastle less than a year ago.

They are on a temporary 485 visa and hope to secure permanent residency.

Police described the shooting of their beloved son as "a senseless incident".

Decklen Deaves-Thornton, 22, handed himself in to police in Newcastle after two days on the run.

He appeared in court via video on April 26 charged with murder and will appear in a Newcastle court in June.