Authorities in Melbourne are searching for a group of masked assailants involved in a violent stabbing incident that left two boys dead. The attack occurred in Cobblebank, a suburb in the outer-west of Melbourne, on Saturday night. Emergency services responded to reports of the incident on Marble Drive shortly before 8 p.m. They found a 12-year-old boy with critical injuries.

CCTV footage reviewed by investigators shows three males pursuing the boy down the street. One suspect appears to throw a bladed weapon at him, causing him to fall. The assailants then attacked him while he was on the ground before fleeing the scene on foot. A neighbor, Clarissa Dunn, witnessed the aftermath and described the scene as shocking. "I heard … a child screaming … I came running out just wearing my bra and undies," she said. "I thought maybe there was an accident but then I saw [him on his own] and that's when I knew, something's not right. I just quickly, like, looked around but I couldn't see anyone, yeah, called triple-0."

Shortly after, police discovered a 15-year-old boy, Dau Akueng, seriously injured on Cobble Street. Both boys, who were friends, died at the scene. Dau's father, Elbino Akueng, expressed his grief and frustration, calling for answers from authorities. "We've buried in these two weeks … four kids. Similar incidents happening, there's no answer from police," he said.

Dau was reportedly returning home from a nearby basketball stadium when he was attacked. He had played in two games earlier that day for the Collingwood Basketball Association. The club's general manager, Trent Pearson, remembered him as a talented player and a beloved member of the community. "Dau played in the same age group as my son and I have had him in my car many times this season, he was a much-loved member of our club and community," Pearson said.

Club vice president Duré De Winter described Dau as a leader who was mature beyond his years. "We are heartbroken to lose such a beautiful young man," she said.

Police indicated that the alleged attackers exhibited characteristics typical of youth gang crime, although the victims were not believed to be gang members. Authorities are searching for as many as eight suspects, who were reportedly wearing face masks and armed with machetes and other weapons.

The recent violence has raised concerns about youth crime in Victoria, which has reached its highest level since 2016. Detective Inspector Graham Banks stated that police are working to increase their presence in certain areas to deter crime. "There's a lot of work that goes into trying to work out where we need to be at particular times, it's very hard to police against every scenario," he said.

Community members have expressed their fears about safety. Jatinder, a local resident, criticized the government's efforts to combat violent crime, stating, "For example they say 'we are stopping machetes' — people already got them. I don't think that's going to work. They can buy anywhere [online]."

Aboil Alor, a family friend of the Akuengs, shared her grief over the loss of a child and urged authorities to take action against rising crime. "We're here [for a] better life, not bury our children every night and day, you know. Every day we wake up with fear, and we sleep with fear," she said.

The investigation into the stabbings continues as the community mourns the loss of two young lives.