Content warning: This story contains details of a violent attack involving children.

Two boys lost their lives on a suburban street, just metres from one another.

Their deaths have fuelled anger across Victoria as residents questioned the effectiveness of the state’s new machete ban.

Families now mourn while critics argue that metal bins outside police stations were never going to stop the violence.

Dau Akueng, 15, and his 12-year-old friend were attacked on Saturday night while walking home from the local basketball stadium in Cobblebank, 33km west of Melbourne’s CBD.

A trio armed with machetes and long-bladed knives hunted them down, leaving both boys with critical injuries.

They died only metres apart.

Two boys killed in Cobblebank machete attack. Image source: Pexels/kat wilcox | Disclaimer: This is a stock image used for illustrative purposes only and does not depict the actual person, item, or event described.

Initial speculation linked the killings to gang violence, but Dau’s father, Elbino Akueng, dismissed the claims.

‘He is a basketball player, not a criminal,’ he shared.

‘I’m talking right now in behalf of my community... In this month, four kids in similar incidents and there is no answer from police. There is no answer for justice.’

He added: ‘I told the police last night that I need an answer for my son. My son is just gone...like this.’

Mr Akueng described his son as someone who loved basketball, making friends, and joking around.

‘I’ll miss you my son, I will miss you forever. God bless. God bless.’

Police later said the killings were likely a case of mistaken identity.

The backlash over Victoria’s new knife laws intensified after the tragedy, with many venting frustration on social media.

‘I saw this coming miles away. The only ones to benefit the machete ban is (Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan) and her mates who got $13million to build 40 metal bins. Imagine how many Aussie families it could have housed,’ one wrote.

Another said: ‘To the Premier of Victoria, the machete and knife ban continues to work well. Two more kids dead and all you do is place boxes outside police stations.’

‘Boy, that machete ban and the new bail laws are working really well. Another two children hacked to death overnight,’ another added

One person remarked: ‘I’m just shocked these kids didn’t put their machetes in the bins provided and abide by the machete ban announced by the Vic Premier! Shocked! I mean she asked politely.’

The laws, introduced last week, made it illegal to own, use, carry, transport, or sell knives without approval.

Convictions could lead to penalties of up to two years in jail or fines exceeding $47,000.

Over 40 amnesty boxes were placed outside police stations for a three-month period, allowing people to surrender machetes without penalty.

Police Minister Anthony Carbines said the community must help ‘dry up the supply of machetes’ by handing them in.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan urged parents to act, stressing that children made up 25 per cent of knife-crime offenders in the state.

Exemptions remain for agricultural workers and for machetes with cultural or historical significance.

In 2024, 14,805 edged weapons were seized in Victoria, with another 8,900 confiscated between January and July this year.

Since May, authorities had carried out more than 3,000 inspections across shops, online platforms, and market stalls, finding high levels of compliance.

South Australia enacted a similar ban on machetes and swords in July, placing the two states among the strictest in the country.

The recent machete attack highlights how sudden changes in weapon laws can have unintended consequences.

Similar confusion and frustration have arisen when everyday tools were unexpectedly restricted, affecting people who rely on them daily.

Exploring these situations can provide insight into the challenges of implementing bans effectively.

Read more: Sudden ban hits everyday tools sparks confusion among hobbyists

Key Takeaways

• Two boys, aged 12 and 15, were killed in Cobblebank, west of Melbourne.
• Their deaths sparked anger over Victoria’s newly introduced machete ban.
• Families and critics accused the government of focusing on bins instead of real solutions.
• Police said the attack was likely a case of mistaken identity.

Two young lives were cut short on a walk home, leaving behind grief, questions, and a community demanding justice.

 

[Suzanne rose]

It's very sad that the lives of two boys this young was taken.

Are their parents 100% that they were not part of a gang. There are photos of these two boys and they are using gang hand signs!!

The authorities need to take a zero tolerance stance of gangs . They need to hire more police before more lives are lost.

I was reading how bad Sudanese gangs are in Melbourne. It needs to be stamped out NOW, including deporting if they were not born in Australia

 

[Jefron]

This story just shows the ignorance of most do-gooders and politicians.
Melton (Cobblebank) is where I live, and only a few minutes from this tragedy. Yes, it' tragedy 2 young lives have been snuffed out by this bullshit gang culture, enhanced by the violence of the culture of their homeland. There has been a lot of gang violence in Melton, by the same culture and white culture, resulting in another youth death recently, along with other no fatal injuries. Don't say it hasn't, because it has.
There are several options which can be taken, if we have strong government.
1: Deportation of the offender and his entire family.
2: Bring back National Service and make men out of cowards.
3: Capital punishment. An eye for an eye.
4: Corporal punishment. Whip, cane, whatever it takes.
5: Desert prison. Chuck them in our harshest environment.

Do-gooders can now respond.

 

[Catherines]

Deportation of non citizens might be ONLY one small answer. About time we introduced some kind of law that all ‘weapons’ (especially guns, machetes and large knives) are kept locked up and away from access to children AND teenagers. I don’t really know what the effective answers would be, though.

The US (but only some states there) have gun laws which include LOCKING away weapons, but even that somehow doesn’t always work. We had a gun amnesty during the Howard government time, but that is no longer effective and gun usage has now progressed to machete usage. There needs to be punishment and heavy fining or even jail time for not adhering to the rule of locking away weapons.

Installing $13 million worth of ‘machete bins’ is the stupidest thing and even more stupid is positioning of them outside police stations. Did the ‘dumb’ authorities think anyone intent on using a machete to wound another would walk up to a police station bin and drop off their weapon??? NO, the possession of a machete in these crimes is solely for threatening AND using the weapon to cause severe injury or death, and frequently to be ‘macho’. Police stations have (or at least should have) security video outside and that security video will be 24-hour recording. No one is going to walk up to a bin, drop off his weapon, and turn the corner in crime to suddenly become a ‘good boy’.

The possession of a gun or machete that is not necessary in a person’s job or trade means THE POSSESSION OF THAT WEAPON IS SOLELY TO INJURE AND/OR COMMIT A CRIME.

One of the first things we need is to change the laws of punishment and hand down effective punishment to fit the crime - no more ‘be a good boy’ attitude. I don’t know who sets the limits of punishment for different crimes but our judges need to be able to take control of what they are judging, the severity of the crime and better punishment as deterrent. Defence Lawyers seem to be in it for the money - keeping the case going as long as possible ensures they get more money in their pockets because, as we all know, the longer a case is drawn out then more money they take in.

 

[DLHM]

Harsh crimes deserve harsh penalties.

 

[Julie1946]

And all you will hear from Jacinta Allan
‘We offer our condolences to the family’ this premier has allowed Victoria to become the violent crime capital of Australia, attack someone you get bail, maime someone you get bail, violent home invasions resulting in people bashed and stabbed you get bail.. no punishment, so no consequences for their actions.. she has destroyed Victoria and has no regard for people’s lives

 

[Colette 3799]

I honestly can’t see an end to all this violence. It’s gone too far. The stupid bail laws are a joke. These thugs shed a few tears in court and the judges give them a hug and send them home just to do the same crime that night! In some cases the parents are at their wits end to control their kids. In these cases the Kids should be taken away and taught that they don’t have to live this way. Not a jail, although for some that might be the only answer, but more of the ‘approved school’ type of place they had in the past. Where they can learn a skill and some self worth. The kids who have parents who are enabling their child’s criminal activities should be charged and jailed, if the government thinks they can’t keep these kids locked up for public safety then make the parents accountable. The gangs that are running riot, if they are not born here should be on a three strikes and you’re out warning. Three arrests for the same offences - instant deportation. They have come here to escape the violence of their birth countries, given a second chance, if you abuse that privilege then out you go

 

[meighLeigh]

How is the ban on machete's enforced? If it's illegal to carry one, how is it that a gang of young men looking for trouble can wander around carrying at least one? There are too many such laws which are just not adequately enforced - not enough police, courts too lenient, too many outlets showing or encouraging violence, not enough teaching of the value of human life and dignity. In other words, society is breaking down.
All violent criminals should be sent to psychiatric institutions set up specifically for such people, and kept there until 3 or more independent psychiatrists can certify the violent criminal is safe to be released into society. No 'parole'. Psychiatric assessment.
I could go on forever about this solution's benefits if you want...

 

[DLHM]

I honestly can’t see an end to all this violence. It’s gone too far. The stupid bail laws are a joke. These thugs shed a few tears in court and the judges give them a hug and send them home just to do the same crime that night! In some cases the parents are at their wits end to control their kids. In these cases the Kids should be taken away and taught that they don’t have to live this way. Not a jail, although for some that might be the only answer, but more of the ‘approved school’ type of place they had in the past. Where they can learn a skill and some self worth. The kids who have parents who are enabling their child’s criminal activities should be charged and jailed, if the government thinks they can’t keep these kids locked up for public safety then make the parents accountable. The gangs that are running riot, if they are not born here should be on a three strikes and you’re out warning. Three arrests for the same offences - instant deportation. They have come here to escape the violence of their birth countries, given a second chance, if you abuse that privilege then out you go

That’s all very well and good, but who would pay for the attempt at rehabilitation of these offenders? It takes $$$$$.

I guess my mind is not as charitable as yours @Colette 3799. We know by looking around us what is right and what is wrong. They’ve had their chances. They need to be removed from Australia whether they’re born here or not. They should be sent back to their ancestral homeland (at the old country’s expense).

The powers to be need to reassess the migration and immigration laws.

 

[meighLeigh]

This story just shows the ignorance of most do-gooders and politicians.
Melton (Cobblebank) is where I live, and only a few minutes from this tragedy. Yes, it' tragedy 2 young lives have been snuffed out by this bullshit gang culture, enhanced by the violence of the culture of their homeland. There has been a lot of gang violence in Melton, by the same culture and white culture, resulting in another youth death recently, along with other no fatal injuries. Don't say it hasn't, because it has.
There are several options which can be taken, if we have strong government.
1: Deportation of the offender and his entire family.
2: Bring back National Service and make men out of cowards.
3: Capital punishment. An eye for an eye.
4: Corporal punishment. Whip, cane, whatever it takes.
5: Desert prison. Chuck them in our harshest environment.

Do-gooders can now respond.

I'm no do-gooder- I certainly agree with your sentiment. Most of the 'gangs' are from families who came to Australia to escape the violence of their homeland (for want of a better world) - so why do they perpetrate the same violence here? Deportation is the best solution - couldn't trust them not to turn on us after National Service, the desert prison will cost us too much and capital and corporal punishment? Two wrongs don't make a right. But I'd love to kick the shit out of people like that, too.

 

[Suzanne rose]

And all you will hear from Jacinta Allan
‘We offer our condolences to the family’ this premier has allowed Victoria to become the violent crime capital of Australia, attack someone you get bail, maime someone you get bail, violent home invasions resulting in people bashed and stabbed you get bail.. no punishment, so no consequences for their actions.. she has destroyed Victoria and has no regard for people’s lives

Not just Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane is pretty bad.
In Sydney we have a war going on and daily shootings by middle eastern groups.

Deportation is really the only answer. And for Australian born tuff prison time not a holiday

 

[youngy650]

So what if it ws a case of mistaken identity they should be held accountable if they carry any of these weapons they are prepared to use them.

 

[meighLeigh]

Deportation of non citizens might be ONLY one small answer. About time we introduced some kind of law that all ‘weapons’ (especially guns, machetes and large knives) are kept locked up and away from access to children AND teenagers. I don’t really know what the effective answers would be, though.

The US (but only some states there) have gun laws which include LOCKING away weapons, but even that somehow doesn’t always work. We had a gun amnesty during the Howard government time, but that is no longer effective and gun usage has now progressed to machete usage. There needs to be punishment and heavy fining or even jail time for not adhering to the rule of locking away weapons.

Installing $13 million worth of ‘machete bins’ is the stupidest thing and even more stupid is positioning of them outside police stations. Did the ‘dumb’ authorities think anyone intent on using a machete to wound another would walk up to a police station bin and drop off their weapon??? NO, the possession of a machete in these crimes is solely for threatening AND using the weapon to cause severe injury or death, and frequently to be ‘macho’. Police stations have (or at least should have) security video outside and that security video will be 24-hour recording. No one is going to walk up to a bin, drop off his weapon, and turn the corner in crime to suddenly become a ‘good boy’.

The possession of a gun or machete that is not necessary in a person’s job or trade means THE POSSESSION OF THAT WEAPON IS SOLELY TO INJURE AND/OR COMMIT A CRIME.

One of the first things we need is to change the laws of punishment and hand down effective punishment to fit the crime - no more ‘be a good boy’ attitude. I don’t know who sets the limits of punishment for different crimes but our judges need to be able to take control of what they are judging, the severity of the crime and better punishment as deterrent. Defence Lawyers seem to be in it for the money - keeping the case going as long as possible ensures they get more money in their pockets because, as we all know, the longer a case is drawn out then more money they take in.

The possession of any unlicensed or illegal weapon should be considered 'intent to do actual bodily harm or even murder', and result in detention (I prefer in a psychiatric institution for the criminally insane the criminal can prove s/he is fit to be released back into society. No parole, no limit on the sentence. Just when the person has learned the value of human life and what is acceptable behaviour.

 

[meighLeigh]

So what if it ws a case of mistaken identity they should be held accountable if they carry any of these weapons they are prepared to use them.

If it was a case of mistaken identity, then anybody else meeting the same identity criteria as those two boys were chosen for is equally at risk. Frightening, isn't it?

 

[DLHM]

If it was a case of mistaken identity, then anybody else meeting the same identity criteria as those two boys were chosen for is equally at risk. Frightening, isn't it?

Sadly, it wouldn’t be the first time of mistaken identity.

 

[Isis]

What fools to think people willing to use a machete would put them in bins, would be interested to see some of the things that might end up in them.
How on earth have w come to this, when did machetes become the weapon of choice?
Looks like the perpetrators havnt been caught. The way things are going if caught probably on bail to try again.
My heart goes out to these children’s parents.

 

[Isis]

This story just shows the ignorance of most do-gooders and politicians.
Melton (Cobblebank) is where I live, and only a few minutes from this tragedy. Yes, it' tragedy 2 young lives have been snuffed out by this bullshit gang culture, enhanced by the violence of the culture of their homeland. There has been a lot of gang violence in Melton, by the same culture and white culture, resulting in another youth death recently, along with other no fatal injuries. Don't say it hasn't, because it has.
There are several options which can be taken, if we have strong government.
1: Deportation of the offender and his entire family.
2: Bring back National Service and make men out of cowards.
3: Capital punishment. An eye for an eye.
4: Corporal punishment. Whip, cane, whatever it takes.
5: Desert prison. Chuck them in our harshest environment.

Do-gooders can now respond.

Yes please .

 

[Catherines]

This story just shows the ignorance of most do-gooders and politicians.
Melton (Cobblebank) is where I live, and only a few minutes from this tragedy. Yes, it' tragedy 2 young lives have been snuffed out by this bullshit gang culture, enhanced by the violence of the culture of their homeland. There has been a lot of gang violence in Melton, by the same culture and white culture, resulting in another youth death recently, along with other no fatal injuries. Don't say it hasn't, because it has.
There are several options which can be taken, if we have strong government.
1: Deportation of the offender and his entire family.
2: Bring back National Service and make men out of cowards.
3: Capital punishment. An eye for an eye.
4: Corporal punishment. Whip, cane, whatever it takes.
5: Desert prison. Chuck them in our harshest environment.

Do-gooders can now respond.

I’m not a ‘do-gooder’ in cases like this but there are times when I have objected to some rude, vulgar, culturally offensive and inappropriate comments on SDC.

I have posted comments before and have also commented today about the stupidity of installing bins near police stations and especially the fact people need to take full responsibility for how and where they store items like guns and machetes. I also believe parents need to take full responsibility for weapons’ storage and use if they (the parents) need them in their occupation and jobs. People on farms need to have certain items but, unfortunately, sometimes their own children are perpetrators of misuse of these items. Every person, parent or not, must abide by laws and use common sense in the absence of a law, where the items they use in their jobs, which could be used as a weapon, are correctly and securely locked away.

We all were born with a ‘conscience’ and ‘common sense’ and we need to use that. Don’t blame anyone else if your items are misused. DANGEROUS ITEMS NEED TO BE LOCKED AWAY!!! Full stop.

 

[Veggiepatch]

I have witnessed numerous instances of these African meatheads playing the violence card and have been a potential victim a couple of times in my time living in the hellhole known as Melbourne.

They strike in numbers which proves they are nothing more than a bunch of gutless cowards, using weapons to conduct home invasions, car jackings, robbery and street violence.

Stand up to them and they run away like scalded cats.

Don't make excuses for them like "they come from a war torn country", "they are financially disadvantaged" or "they have suffered due to a poor upbringing". The problem is the generational mindset of these wannabee gangsters, who purport to be escaping the violence of their home country, only to bring that mindset with them and enact the same behaviour in Australia.

Get rid of the vermin.

 

[Suzanne rose]

I have witnessed numerous instances of these African meatheads playing the violence card and have been a potential victim a couple of times in my time living in the hellhole known as Melbourne.

They strike in numbers which proves they are nothing more than a bunch of gutless cowards, using weapons to conduct home invasions, car jackings, robbery and street violence.

Stand up to them and they run away like scalded cats.

Don't make excuses for them like "they come from a war torn country", "they are financially disadvantaged" or "they have suffered due to a poor upbringing". The problem is the generational mindset of these wannabee gangsters, who purport to be escaping the violence of their home country, only to bring that mindset with them and enact the same behaviour in Australia.

Get rid of the vermin.

100% agree with what you stated. It makes me very angry when people are allowed to come into our country only to bring all their hatred and violence with them