A quiet Saturday evening in Cobblebank, near Melton, turned into a scene of horror after two boys were fatally stabbed in what police believe were connected attacks.
The victims, 12-year-old Chol Achiek and 15-year-old Dau Akueng, were found with critical injuries just streets apart, around 8pm. Despite desperate efforts from emergency responders, both boys died at the scene.
Detectives say the incidents, which happened about 150 metres apart, appear to have been targeted and may involve up to eight masked offenders carrying machetes and large knives. CCTV footage shows three attackers chasing down one of the victims before assaulting him as he lay on the ground.
Dau Akueng, 15, (left) and 12-year-old Chol Achiek. (Source: 9 News)
Neighbours described scenes of panic. One resident recalled seeing a group of masked individuals jump into a large SUV, weapons in hand, while another spoke of hearing desperate screams from the street.
Police say neither boy was part of a gang and are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage. Investigators are examining whether the killings were a tragic case of mistaken identity.
Both families have been left shattered. Dau, a promising basketball player and referee, had just finished refereeing a game before the attack. Chol, the second youngest in a family of seven, was remembered by relatives as a bright and lively boy.
The tragedy is now raising difficult questions about whether enough is being done by police to address rising knife crime and youth gang activity. Should tougher laws and visible policing be prioritised, or is there a deeper issue in how young people are slipping through the cracks?
At the same time, community voices are asking what role political leaders should play in restoring safety and trust. Is the government’s current strategy working, or does this devastating incident demand a new approach to tackling youth violence and protecting families?
As tributes flow, the community is grappling with the question many parents are now asking: how could this happen in their neighbourhood?
