Tributes for Ethan Hoac who was struck by a car before being stabbed to death in St Albans

Devastated loved ones are paying tribute to a Braybrook College student who was killed in a horrific “targeted” attack while walking down a suburban street.

Ethan Hoac and two friends were walking home on a quiet suburban street when they were chased by a car and the “sweet” 14-year-old was mowed down and stabbed to death.

Police were on Tuesday night hunting two masked killers over the horrific “targeted” attack in Melbourne’s northwest.

Devastated loved ones remembered the Braybrook College student as an “amazing” friend who always put others first.

CCTV footage captured Ethan and his friends running down a street near Ginifer station in St Albans at 10.45pm on Monday, after a school holiday trip to the city.

Minutes later, a light coloured midsize SUV “appeared from nowhere” and began to pursue the teenagers on Bailey St.

Investigators have since recovered footage of the shocking moment two men wearing face coverings jumped out of the vehicle armed with knives, and began to attack Ethan as he lay on the road.

St Albans stabbing victim Ethan Hoac. Picture: Supplied

Some residents in Bailey St said they were woken to the sound of screaming and the loud bang of a car door closing.

Ethan’s two friends ran for their lives and managed to escape uninjured, before calling triple-0.

Detective Inspector David Dunstan said the two teens were traumatised after witnessing the vicious attack on their friend.

He said Ethan was found by emergency services “injured and lying on the road”.

He died a short time later in an ambulance only metres from Sunshine Hospital.

Detectives were on Tuesday night hunting the two assailants, and said they could not rule out whether more people were in the car at the time of the incident.

While police were not able to confirm if the attackers were known to the victim, police said they believed it was a “targeted assault”.

SES crews helps police scour the area for clues. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

A small section of Bailey St is cordoned off following the incident. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Insp Dunstan revealed on Tuesday that Ethan and his friends may have also known recent teenage stabbing victim Pasawm Lyhym, who was killed at a Sunshine bus stop in May, but police said they did not believe that the incidents were linked.

“They live in the same area, they attended school in the same area,” Insp Dunstan said.

“I mean, 14-year-old kids have pretty big social circles, and they may have known each other in a loose context, but we have nothing to indicate that there’s been any sort of direct correlation to that previous incident.”

Ethan’s friend, Chrissy Tran, told the Herald Sun that he was a “respectful” and “funny” boy.

“Ethan was the funniest person I knew, he’d always spread positive energy and always tried his best to stay out of trouble,” she said.

“He was the first responsible, respectful and funny boy I’d ever met.”

Ms Tran said had been texting Ethan’s mobile number since she was told of his death.

“It hurts me to see his life taken so early because he was my brother not by blood but by heart,” she said.

“If he was here, he would probably call me a dummy for crying all night and day. I miss him so much, I’ve been messaging his number ever since I got the call.

“I’ll forever cherish the memories I had with him.”

His schoolmate, Jayden, said Ethan was a joker and “made everyone laugh”.

“Ethan was such a great friend. He was so amazing and thoughtful, I miss him so much already,” he said.

“He made everyone laugh all the time and cheered them up when they were down, he was truly amazing.

“It just hurts so much to know that he is actually gone.”

Jennifer Huynh said “he was so sweet”.

“He put his friends before him, he enjoyed hanging out with them,” she said.

Police are probing the circumstances leading to the teen’s death. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

SES crews were on Tuesday seen checking inside drain lids and scouring the scene in an attempt to find the knives used in the attack.

Police also told residents to check their gardens for any weapons that may have been disposed of near the scene.

Neighbours in Bailey St said they were “frightened” following news of the slaying, saying the area was usually quiet and peaceful.

Insp Dunstan said “reassurance patrols” were being carried out in response to residents’ fears.

“I understand this will be concerning to a lot of the community after this has occurred,” he said.

Police have been conducting targeted operations across the northwest of Melbourne in an effort to stamp out youth crime.

The horror attack follows a spate of youth knife crime across Melbourne.

Insp Dunstan said evidence suggested most knife crime happened behind closed doors and serious attacks involving young people were alarming.

“Any incident involving knives and fatal injuries to victims of this age is concerning,” he said.