Devastated family and friends of two young boys killed in a stabbing attack in Melbourne are calling on police for answers and protection.
Authorities say a 12-year-old boy and a 15-year-old boy were fatally stabbed in Cobblebank in Melbourne's west in a suspected targeted attack.
Detective Inspector Graham Banks said police believe the attacks may have been perpetrated by up to eight offenders and are consistent with "youth gang activity".
He said investigations are ongoing but police did not believe the victims were involved in gang activity.
Banks said the murders were committed by a "large group of male offenders" covered with face masks and armed with machetes and long-edged weapons. They fled the scene in a vehicle that's yet to be identified.
"It is one of the most horrific crimes in a substantial and growing list of crimes of this nature," Banks said.
"It is not okay to remain silent."
Elbino Akueng, whose only son, 15-year-old Dau was killed overnight, told the ABC he rushed back from work after hearing about the stabbing from his daughter and was kept in the dark by police until Sunday morning.
"This is a basketball player, he's not a criminal," Akueng told the ABC.
"I said to police, I said to detectives, I need answers for what killed my son."
Elbino Akueng's only son, 15-year-old Dau was killed in the stabbing attack. Credit: Supplied
"I'm talking in front of cameras right now, on behalf of my community, this is happening to us," he said.
"Similar incidents happening, there's no answer from police."
A 12-year-old boy with critical injuries was found by emergency services in the suburb of Cobblebank about 8pm and later died at the scene.
Shortly afterwards, Akueng was given treatment nearby on Cobble Street, but he also died.
The scene of a fatal stabbing in Cobblebank. Source: AAP / David Crosling
"We needed justice especially for those children, 12 and 15 years old," she said.
Banks said police would be looking to make arrests in coming days.
"I can say is this is a type of crime police will throw every resource into. History has shown that we have a good success rate in solving crimes of this nature. However, they are not straightforward," he said.
Federal Labor MP Sam Rae, who represents the local seat of Hawke, said it had been a harrowing night for the community after a "heinous crime".
"We've lost two children from our community overnight," he told Sky News.
"My job is to support the family, support the community and to support the police to bring justice for these kids."
State government minister for energy and resources Lily D'Ambrosio offered her sympathy to the victims and their families.
"These are truly despicable crimes," D'Ambrosio said.
"My sympathies are absolutely, right now, with the families of these two young people who've had their lives taken away from them."
She said the government had taken significant steps to crack down on crime, pointing to toughened bail laws.
Opposition Leader Brad Battin condemned the government for a lack of action on crime.
"Victorian Crime is beyond crisis. The statistics are people, victims," Battin said in a post on X.
"The Government cannot resolve crime by media release — we need action."
- With additional reporting by the Australian Associated Press
