The heartbroken father of one of two boys killed in a suspected Melbourne gang attack has pleaded for justice, declaring his son ‘is a basketball player, not a criminal’.
Emergency services were called to Marble Drive in Cobblebank, 33km west of the CBD, just before 8pm on Saturday following reports of a seriously injured person.
On arrival, paramedics found a 12-year-old boy with critical stab wounds. He died at the scene.
A short time later, police responded to a second call less than 200 metres away on Cobble Street.
There, a 15-year-old boy, identified as Dau Akueng, was found seriously injured. He too could not be saved and died at the scene.
Dau’s father, Elbino Akueng, told reporters on Sunday said his son and the other victim were blocks from his home after playing at a local basketball stadium.
‘I’m talking right now in behalf of my community,’ Mr Akueng said.
‘In this month, four kids in similar incidents and there is no answer from police. There is no answer for justice.
Dau Akueng (pictured) was killed in a suspected targeted attack on Saturday night
Dau and his 12-year-old friend were attacked while walking home from a local basketball stadium (pictured, officers at the scene)
Dau’s father (pictured) told reporters his son is a ‘basketball player, not a criminal’
‘I told the police last night that I need an answer for my son. My son is just gone…like this.
‘He is a basketball player, not a criminal.’
Mr Akueng is a security guard and works hard to protects others, but didn’t feel as though his loved ones were protected.
‘I protect the community, but no one protects my family at home,’ he said.
‘I am a part of this society, a part of this community. I will protect people where I work, but no one protects my family at home.
‘I protect people outside of their homes, and then I come home and a loved one is not there. What do we say? We’ve asked for answers.
‘Who killed my son? Where is my son? This case will go on and on.’
When asked to describe his son, Mr Akueng broke down.
The two deceased were found just hundreds of metres away from each other in Cobblebank
Dau’s father asked authorities ‘Who killed my son? Where is my son?’ (pictured, the scene on Sunday)
Loved ones of the boys demanded justice for their deaths (pictured, a distressed woman at the scene)
Another family member said, ‘Dau loved basketball. He loved to joke around, he loved to make friends.’
Victoria Police confirmed homicide squad detectives were investigating both deaths, which are believed to be linked.
Officers are treating the incident as a targeted attack, though the exact circumstances remain unclear.
Witnesses reported a black SUV in the area around the time of the stabbings, which detectives are examining as part of their inquiries.
One recalled hearing the 12-year-old scream ‘someone please help me’.
Crime scene vans and an SES tent were set up as officers canvassed the neighbourhood for evidence and spoke with nearby residents, including teenagers who may have witnessed the events.
Locals described the suburb as usually calm and family-oriented.
A woman was seen crying hysterically on Marble St about 9pm as family members tried to comfort her.
Officers are treating the incident as a targeted attack (pictured,officers at the scene)
Dau (pictured) died from blocks from his family home
It’s understood parents and neighbours said other children were unaccounted for.
One Marble Street resident, who has lived there for seven years, told the Herald Sun: ‘It’s always really quiet here.’
The murders have left the Cobblebank community reeling, with shocked neighbours gathering near the cordons late into the night.
Victoria’s Opposition Leader Brad Battin told The Herald-Sun the horrific scene was a ‘tragic outcome of the crime crisis’ in the state.
‘Too many Victorians have been victims of crime. Last night, two more Victorians were tragically added to that tally,’ he said.
‘When we talk about the crime crisis, we can never lose sight of its human cost. These are not just statistics, they represent lives lost, families shattered, and communities forever changed.’
Anyone with information is being urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
