A year after a deadly attack on two boys, Melbourne’s South Sudanese community remains in fear
News Source
•Fri, 04 Sep 2026 15:00:11 GMT
📰 What Happened
One year ago, two boys stepped off a bus in Melbourne's outer west just before 8pm. They never made it home. Twelve-year-old Chol Achiek and his friend, 15-year-old Dau Akueng, were allegedly ambushed by a group of eight teenagers with machetes and knives on 6 September last year. The boys were on their way home from a local basketball tournament.
Police charged the teenagers, aged 15 to 19, with the murders that same month. There is no suggestion those charged are of South Sudanese background. The case remains before the court. The deaths reignited a fierce debate over how to curb youth gang violence in Victoria. The boys' families and the South Sudanese community say they are still struggling with fear and grief.
🔍 The Backstory
The two South Sudanese Australian boys were killed in Cobblebank, in Melbourne's outer west. Their deaths shocked the community and the whole country. Tributes were left at the scene. At the time, the then premier Jacinta Allan said solutions to violent crime 'must come from the community'.
A year on, the community says fear remains. An expert group gave a report to the Victorian government eight months ago, but it has not been released. The victim's father says the community is 'struggling a lot'. Community leaders have asked for real support and action, not just words, to keep young people safe.
🎯 Why It Matters
The deaths of two children shook the whole country. The case shows how gang violence affects ordinary families and communities. It also raises questions about whether governments act quickly enough on expert advice to keep young people safe.
One year ago, two boys stepped off a bus in Melbourne's outer west just before 8pm. They never made it home. Twelve-year-old Chol Achiek and his friend, 15-year-old Dau Akueng, were allegedly ambushed by a group of eight teenagers with machetes and knives on 6 September last year. The boys were on their way home from a local basketball tournament.
Police charged the teenagers, aged 15 to 19, with the murders that same month. There is no suggestion those charged are of South Sudanese background. The case remains before the court. The deaths reignited a fierce debate over how to curb youth gang violence in Victoria. The boys' families and the South Sudanese community say they are still struggling with fear and grief.
The two South Sudanese Australian boys were killed in Cobblebank, in Melbourne's outer west. Their deaths shocked the community and the whole country. Tributes were left at the scene. At the time, the then premier Jacinta Allan said solutions to violent crime 'must come from the community'.
A year on, the community says fear remains. An expert group gave a report to the Victorian government eight months ago, but it has not been released. The victim's father says the community is 'struggling a lot'. Community leaders have asked for real support and action, not just words, to keep young people safe.
The deaths of two children shook the whole country. The case shows how gang violence affects ordinary families and communities. It also raises questions about whether governments act quickly enough on expert advice to keep young people safe.