Following an extensive homicide investigation, Victoria Police executed morning raids across multiple suburbs on September 19. Seven teenagers aged between 15 and 19 were arrested from areas including Thornhill Park, Caroline Springs, Wollert, and several northwestern suburbs of Melbourne. They are being held for interviews as part of the probe.
Melbourne was rocked by tragedy on September 6, 2025, when two young boys—12-year-old Chol Achiek and 15-year-old Dau Akueng—were ambushed and fatally stabbed while walking home from a basketball game in Cobblebank, in Melbourne’s western suburbs.
Police say the attack was carried out by a group of masked males armed with machetes and other bladed weapons. The incident has deeply unsettled the local community.
While investigators believe the attack showed “the hallmarks of youth gang crime,” they have also noted that neither victim was known to be involved in gang activity. One of the emerging leads is a possible case of mistaken identity, though no definitive motive has been confirmed.
The boys were on their way home late Saturday evening from a local basketball match. They were ambushed on separate streets as part of what police call a violent, machete-wielding assault. Chol was found on Marble Drive; Dau was found on Cobble Street. Both died at the scene.
The deaths have triggered an outpouring of grief within Cobblebank and the surrounding suburbs. Vigils have been held for Chol and Dau, with hundreds coming together to honour their memory. Family, schoolmates, basketball clubs, and coaches have spoken of the boys’ kindness, energy and passion—especially Dau, a talented and dedicated basketballer, and Chol, described by loved ones as warm-hearted and full of potential.
Victoria’s Premier, Jacinta Allan, has expressed her condolences, meeting with leaders from the South Sudanese community and promising that governments will take steps to address what many are calling a crisis of youth violence. Allan said more needs to be done to ensure community safety and prevent such tragedies from occurring again.
Police continue to investigate, urging anyone with information about the attack or the assailants to come forward—either through Crime Stoppers or directly. The arrests are a significant step, but no charges have been confirmed at the time of reporting.
Authorities are also increasing patrols in Cobblebank and engaging with local schools and community groups to rebuild trust and reassure residents. There are calls for tougher penalties for youth violence, more resources for early intervention, and better support for vulnerable families.
The Cobblebank killings have become more than a criminal case—they are a stark reminder of the growing pressure on suburban communities to contend with serious youth violence. For many locals, these boys weren’t just victims; they represented hope, talent, and everyday normalcy.
Their deaths have reopened debates about bail laws, youth crime policies, policing, community support, and the relationship between government and marginalised communities.
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