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Seven teenagers arrested over stabbing deaths of two boys in Melbourne Seven teenagers charged with murder after stabbing deaths of two boys in Melbourne
(about 5 hours later)
Police investigating deaths of Dau Akueng, 15, and Chol Achiek, 12, raid homes in city’s north-west Charges follow two incidents in Cobblebank on 6 September that resulted in the deaths of Dau Akueng, 15, and Chol Achiek, 12
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Seven teenagers have been arrested over the stabbing deaths of 15-year-old Dau Akueng and 12-year-old Chol Achiek in Melbourne’s west. Seven teenagers have been charged with murder after the stabbing deaths of 15-year-old Dau Akueng and 12-year-old Chol Achiek in Cobblebank in Melbourne’s west earlier this month.
Police have confirmed that a 19-year-old Thornhill Park man, a 19-year-old Caroline Springs man, an 18-year-old Wollert man, along with three 16-year-old boys and a 15-year-old boy, all from the north-west suburbs of Melbourne, were arrested on Friday morning after raids on homes by homicide squad detectives. The seven males, aged between 15 and 19, were arrested on Friday morning after raids on homes in Melbourne’s north and west by homicide squad detectives. They were interviewed by police before charges were laid in the afternoon.
The seven teenagers were being interviewed by police. A 19-year-old Thornhill man, a 16-year-old Sunbury boy, a 16-year-old Sydenham boy and a 15-year-old Hillside boy were charged with the murder of Dau.
A 19-year-old Caroline Springs man, an 18-year-old Wollert man and a 16-year-old Sydenham boy were charged with the murder of Chol.
The three adults fronted Melbourne magistrates court on Friday afternoon. They did not apply for bail and were remanded in custody to reappear in court on 12 December.
The four teens were due to appear at a children’s court.
Dau and Chol were walking home from a basketball game on 6 September when they were allegedly attacked on separate streets in Cobblebank, in the city’s west, by masked assailants armed with machetes and long-edged weapons.Dau and Chol were walking home from a basketball game on 6 September when they were allegedly attacked on separate streets in Cobblebank, in the city’s west, by masked assailants armed with machetes and long-edged weapons.
Emergency services responded to calls shortly before 8pm on the night following reports that two children had been fatally injured.
They were located on adjacent streets, after members of the public rushed to help. Both children died at the scene.
The assistant commissioner of crime command, Martin O’Brien, on Friday said the pair’s devastated families were grieving their loss and the things they would never see their children experience.
“The word senseless has been used so many times already in relation to the deaths of Dau Akueng and Chol Achiek, because the reality is that it doesn’t make sense,” he said in a statement.
“Two children walking home after playing sport, who should have had decades of their lives ahead of them.”
O’Brien acknowledged many people were “feeling shocked, frustrated and concerned”.
“Finally, our thoughts are with the Akeung and Achiek families and we will continue to ensure all available support services remain in place at this difficult time,” he said.
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At the time, Victoria police Det Insp Graham Banks said the case had “the hallmarks of youth gang crime”, though the duo were not members.
Chol’s father, Chuti Ngong, described his son as a “lovely” and “peaceful boy” at a candlelight vigil last week.Chol’s father, Chuti Ngong, described his son as a “lovely” and “peaceful boy” at a candlelight vigil last week.
“He loved everybody – loved all the family, siblings, everybody,” he said.
Terry Koumides, who met Dau in 2020 through a youth basketball program, described him as “a sweet kid”.
“He was a contributor, he was well-mannered,” he said. “He was polite.”
Manny Hendrix, Dau’s basketball coach, said he had dreams of playing for the NBA. “Basketball was his life,” he said.
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“He loved everybody – loved all the family, siblings, everybody,” he said.
Terry Koumides, who met Dau in 2020 through a youth basketball program, described him as “a sweet kid”.
“He was a contributor, he was well mannered,” he said. “He was polite.”
Manny Hendrix, Dau’s basketball coach, said he had dreams of playing for the NBA. “Basketball was his life,” he said.
Since the deaths a “significant investigation” by the homicide squad has been under way to “collect all available evidence”, police said on Friday.Since the deaths a “significant investigation” by the homicide squad has been under way to “collect all available evidence”, police said on Friday.
Police had also increased patrols in Cobblebank as part of community reassurance efforts, and met with schools, council and community leaders.Police had also increased patrols in Cobblebank as part of community reassurance efforts, and met with schools, council and community leaders.
The investigation was ongoing. Anyone with information was urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online. The investigation was ongoing, police said.
Anyone with information was urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online.