Authorities in Melbourne's outer northwest have arrested seven individuals in connection with the deaths of two boys, aged 12 and 15. The victims, Dau Akueng, 15, and Chol Achiek, 12, were tragically killed while returning home from a basketball game in Cobblebank earlier this month. At the time, officials described the incident as one of the most severe knife crimes they had encountered.

On the morning of the arrests, homicide detectives executed warrants at approximately a dozen locations across Melbourne's outer west and north. The operation began at 6 a.m. and involved the VIPER youth gang taskforce.

Among those taken into custody are three men and four teenage boys. The men include a 19-year-old from Thornhill Park, another 19-year-old from Caroline Springs, and an 18-year-old from Wollert. The teenage suspects consist of three boys aged 16 and one boy aged 15.

The investigation continues as authorities work to uncover more details surrounding the tragic deaths of the two boys.