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Police Hunt Masked Group After Boys, 12 and 15, Stabbed to Death in Melbourne

Detectives say the linked attacks bear hallmarks of youth gang crime.

Overview

  • Emergency services found a 12-year-old on Marble Drive and 15-year-old Dau Akueng on nearby Cobble Street on Saturday night, and both died at the scene.
  • Investigators are searching for up to eight masked male offenders seen on CCTV carrying machetes and long-edged weapons, believed to be older than the victims.
  • Police believe the assaults are connected and are treating them as targeted, while also examining mistaken identity; the victims are not believed to be gang members.
  • Family and friends say Akueng was walking home from refereeing a basketball game with friends when attacked, and his father has publicly appealed for answers.
  • Homicide Squad detectives have established multiple crime scenes, urged witnesses and anyone with footage to contact Crime Stoppers, and community leaders and politicians have condemned the killings.