Up to 10 stab wounds: 15yo allegedly attacked outside dance studio

A 15-year-old girl will undergo surgery for ‘lifelong injuries’ sustained in an allegedly unprovoked assault by a stranger with a knife outside a Queensland dance studio.

A 15-year-old girl will undergo surgery for ‘lifelong injuries’ sustained in an allegedly unprovoked assault by a stranger with a knife.

A 15-year-old girl will undergo surgery on Tuesday evening after sustaining extensive injuries from an unprovoked knife assault at a Bundaberg dance studio.

Detective Sergeant Mike Thompson from the Bundaberg Child Protection Investigation Unit said the girl was allegedly stabbed in the back multiple times.

The alleged offender, Krystel Louise Paulson, was unknown to the girl and allegedly attacked her outside the TnT Dance Studio dance studio on Water St in central Bundaberg around 4.30pm on Monday.

Students at the dance studio did not witness the stabbing but witnessed the "aftermath" of the victim seeking help, police said.

Det. Sgt. Thompson said the alleged attack occurred after Paulson started a conversation with the victim outside the studio.

A 15-year-old was allegedly stabbed outside a Bundaberg dance studio.

He said the girl sustained eight to 10 stab wounds, including penetration and slashing wounds.

She was taken to Bundaberg Hospital in a stable condition, and is expected to have surgery on Tuesday evening, Det. Sgt. Thompson said.

Paulson left the scene on foot, and was found by police and arrested at a nearby unit block soon afterwards.

A lawyer for Paulson appeared before Bundaberg Magistrates Court on Tuesday, where she was charged with one count of acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm.

The matter was adjourned to the March 19, 2024, with a brief of evidence ordered.

Detective Sergeant Mike Thompson from the Bundaberg child protection investigation said the girl allegedly was stabbed in the back multiple times by a 34-year-old woman.

Chief Inspector Grant Marcus from Bundaberg police assured the Bundaberg community that the knife attack was not a common occurrence, but announced that police will be running further Jack’s Law operations from Friday in an attempt to reassure the community.

“This was an abhorrent act of violence in our community, it was totally unprovoked,” he said.

“And an innocent young 15-year-old girl has received some lifelong injuries.

“I’m sure that the child will be significantly impacted by this.

“I want to reassure the community this is not a common occurrence … the streets here in Bundaberg are still safe.”

TnT Dance Studio posted a comment on social media thanking emergency services for their prompt response.

“A place of love, fun and acceptance was a victim to an unpredictable invasion of our space.”

A Facebook post from TNT Dance Studio said Shalom College and Community sent a gift of flowers.

The post praised staff for ‘acting swiftly in a calm and protective fashion to keep our families safe and utilising your first aid skills”.

“The random offender from the street, unknown to anyone, entered our foyer.”

Classes operating at the time were cancelled.

“Love and support to the family who is recovering from this event. Love and support to our dancers who were frightened by this event.”

Parents were given a link to a site offering tips for children who may have been traumatised.

Police are calling for anyone with dashcam or CCTV footage from the Bundaberg South area around 4.30pm on Monday to contact police.