Authorities in Melbourne are investigating a tragic incident that resulted in the deaths of two boys, aged 12 and 15, following a violent stabbing in the suburb of Cobblebank on the evening of September 30, 2023. Emergency services responded to reports of an attack on Marble Drive, where they discovered a 12-year-old boy with critical injuries. Shortly afterwards, they found the older victim, 15-year-old Dau Akueng, nearby on Cobble Street. Both boys succumbed to their injuries at the scene.
CCTV footage reviewed by police reveals a group of three masked males pursuing the younger boy, who was reportedly attacked with a bladed weapon before he fell. The assailants continued to assault him while he lay on the ground, fleeing the scene shortly thereafter. A nearby resident, Clarissa Dunn, described the moment she witnessed the aftermath, stating, “I heard … a child screaming … I came running out just wearing my bra and undies.” She expressed horror at the boy’s condition and called emergency services immediately.
The victims were friends, having recently finished playing basketball at the local Cobblebank Stadium. Dau’s father, Elbino Akueng, expressed his devastation and called for answers regarding the violence in their community. “We’ve buried four kids in these two weeks,” he lamented. “Similar incidents are happening, and there’s no answer from police.”
Dau was described as a talented player and a beloved member of the Collingwood Basketball Association. Club officials mourned his loss, with general manager Trent Pearson stating, “He was a much-loved member of our club and community.” Club vice president Duré De Winter reflected on Dau’s character, saying he “brightened everyone’s day with his smile.”
The police investigation has revealed that the alleged attackers exhibit characteristics associated with youth gang crime, although authorities believe the victims were not involved in gang activities. Police are currently searching for up to eight suspects, who were reportedly armed with machetes and other knives. The recent rise in violent incidents involving youth has sparked concern among residents.
Local resident Jatinder voiced her fear of escalating violence in the area, stating, “People in the area are scared to go outside.” She criticized the Victorian Government’s measures to combat violent crime, pointing out that the presence of machetes has not been adequately addressed. Statistics from the Crime Statistics Agency indicate that Victoria’s crime rate is at its highest level since 2016, with youth crime reaching a 15-year peak.
Detective Inspector Graham Banks from Victoria Police acknowledged the challenges of policing such incidents and emphasized the need to address the root causes of youth violence. The community’s grief echoes through statements made by friends of the Akueng family, including Aboil Alor, who lost her son in a separate tragedy. She pleaded for more action from authorities to prevent further loss of life, saying, “Every day we wake up with fear, and we sleep with fear.”
The investigation continues as the community grapples with the impact of this tragic event, calling for measures that ensure safety and security for all.
