Two boys stabbed to death in machete attack on Cobblebank street
The stabbing deaths of a 12-year-old and 15-year-old in an ambush in Cobblebank may have been a case of mistaken identity, as graphic CCTV shows the attack.
Two boys – including a 12-year-old believed to be the youngest victim of Melbourne’s knife crime epidemic – were brutally murdered in a gang attack that police believe may have been a case of mistaken identity.
Dau Akueng, 15, and his friend Chol, 12, were slain in a violent machete ambush in Cobblebank, near Melton, on Saturday night in what police said was “one of the most horrific crimes” of its kind.
On Sunday Dau’s father made an impassioned plea for justice from the scene where his son had been killed just hours earlier.
Elbino Akueng said Dau and his friends were walking home from the nearby basketball stadium, where Dau had just played, when they were attacked by a group of up to eight masked thugs wielding machetes and long-bladed knives.
Mr Akueng, a security guard, said he worked to protect the community but asked who was protecting his loved ones in return.
“I protect the community, but no one protects my family at home,” he said.
“I protect people outside of their homes, and then I come home and a loved one is not there.
“I told the police last night I need an answer for my son. My son is just gone … like this. He’s a basketball player, not a criminal.”
Dau was just blocks from his home when he was attacked alongside two other friends, including Chol, who died little more than 100m away.
Too distraught to find the words to describe his boy, another family member responded: “Dau loved basketball. He loved to joke around and make friends.”
Elbino then uttered: “I’ll miss you forever, my son. God bless.”
Cauti Nuong remembered his 12-year-old son – the second-youngest of seven children – as a clever boy who captured his heart.
“I know all kids are equal, but sometimes there is one child that takes your heart,” he said.
“Chol was a good boy.”
Jacob Ayol remembered his nephew as an “energetic” year 7 student who loved his family.
“Chol is a young guy, full of life, very energetic,” he said.
“He loves family, he loves outside activities, playing basketball.”
Distressing CCTV footage obtained by the Herald Sun shows three people chasing one of the boys after a grey SUV drives along the Cobblebank street.
A boy, believed to be Chol, appears to be struck from behind with a machete before falling to the ground.
The offenders then take several swings as Chol lies on the ground, before fleeing the scene.
The incident lasts a matter of seconds.
A woman who was alerted by the child’s screams can be seen running across the road, shining her phone light on the victim, screaming in shock and trying to wave down help.
Cobble St resident Chris McFarlane recounted the “pure terror” of discovering a motionless Dau at his door with his hand completely severed.
“My dog was growling, which wasn’t normal,” Mr McFarlane said.
“I looked out the front window and saw about eight people jumping into a car, all holding machetes.
“I came back outside after they left because I heard the neighbour yelling ‘someone’s been bashed in your front yard’. We went out and the guy wasn’t moving at all – his hand was completely severed.”
Dau had been returning home from a game at Cobblebank Stadium when he was ambushed.
He had just played in an elimination final for the Wolfpack U16 boys Alpha team, winning 53-34 over the Purple Dragons.
He scored nine points and was the team’s second-highest scorer.
He was set to play in preliminary finals against the Falcon Rebels on Saturday.
Chol played basketball for the Nile Warriors Basketball Club.
Both teams released statements mourning the deaths.
“It is with immense sadness that we make this post and have to farewell one of our own,” the Wolfpack statement read.
“(Dau) had a deep love for basketball and his passion for the sport was unrivalled — if you were able to watch him on Saturday afternoon, he could shoot the lights out and change the course of a game so easily.”
The Nile Warriors statement said: “(Chol) will be remembered not only as a valued member of our club, but as a bright and cherished young life taken far too soon.”
“As part of the wider basketball family, we stand in solidarity with (the) Wolfpack and extend our deepest condolences to their community.”
A candlelight vigil for the boys is being held at sunset in Cobblebank on Tuesday.
Dau also played for the Collingwood Basketball Association, with general manager Trent Pearson describing his infectious personality in a statement released on Sunday.
“Dau played in the same age group as my son and I’ve had him in my car many times this season,” Mr Pearson said.
“He was much loved in our club and community – a highly talented player and referee with a cheerful personality.
“Dau had a smile and confidence that were infectious. His love for basketball and being around friends will be sorely missed. As a club we’re devastated. Our focus now is supporting the family and members coming to terms with losing this beautiful young man.”
CBA vice-president Duré De Winter said: “He brightened everyone’s day with his smile, made the effort to greet everyone, and was a genuine young leader with maturity, kindness and good nature – we’ll miss him dearly.”
Aboil Alor, whose son played basketball with Dau, pleaded for more to be done about Victoria’s deadly knife crime.
“We’re here for a better life, not to bury our children,” she said.
“Every day we wake in fear, sleep in fear. We deserve better. If the government and police can help, please give us peace of mind.”
Ms Alor said Dau was a “really good child who deserved a long life”.
“I don’t know why they took his life,” she said. “I’ve been through this before and seeing other mothers go through this … we need to do something.”
At a press conference on Sunday afternoon, Detective Inspector Graham Banks said the attack appeared to be gang related but that the victims themselves were not gang members.
“(The attack) has the hallmarks of a youth gang crime and is one of the most horrific crimes in the substantial and growing list of crimes of this nature.
“There is potential that the offenders know these people and they’ve been specifically targeted as well, but there’s also clearly the possibility that there’s been a mistaken identity and that this is what’s occurred.
“It bears the hallmarks of gang culture and violence … and that’s why it’s my belief it’s a gang that has committed it.”
But he said the boys had not been linked to gang activity.
He said the offenders were male and likely to be older than the victims, probably between 16 and 24.
‘Please help me’: Neighbour tries to save dying child
Marble Dve resident Clarissa Dunn fought through tears as she spoke of coming to the aid of a dying child, after dashing from the house when she heard “screaming”.
“I thought maybe someone had an accident or something or they were arguing and then I heard, ‘please help me”, she said.
“It was ‘please help me somebody, please help me’ over and over again.
“I ran out the driveway, and it was dark … so I’m yelling out ‘where are you, where are you, I’m coming.”
Ms Dunn said she found the child twisted in pain on the ground, injured, with bark gripped in their hand.
She did her best to comfort the child as they lay dying.
“I said ‘I am so sorry darling, you are with me’ and (he) took (his) last breath,” she said.
“The triple 000 operator didn’t give me any instructions for CPR or anything and I really wanted to try.”
“(The) injuries were something else … it’s sad, so sad.”
Ms Dunn said she believed the victim had been stabbed in the lower back, and spoke of how she was with paramedics when they got the call for the second victim.
Not long later Ms Dunn said she heard another shocking scream.
“There was this blood curdling scream as the mother arrived,” she said.
“Who does this? It is getting so bad.”
