Two boys were found fatally stabbed in Melbourne’s west on Saturday night in a pair of incidents police say are believed to be linked and are being treated as a targeted attack.
Emergency services were called to Marble Drive in Cobblebank, about 33 kilometres west of the central business district, just before 8 p.m., where paramedics found a 12-year-old boy with critical stab wounds. Despite attempts to resuscitate him, he died at the scene. A short time later, officers responded to a second call less than 200 metres away on Cobble Street and found a 15-year-old boy who was also seriously injured; he too could not be revived.
Victoria Police confirmed homicide squad detectives have taken carriage of the inquiries and that investigators are examining whether gang-related violence played a role. Officers said the circumstances of the two deaths remain unclear and that they are treating the matters as linked.
Police response included multiple patrols to the Cobblebank area and an immediate investigation at both scenes. Neighbourhood residents described a large police presence on Saturday night as officers worked in and around the streets where the youths were found.
Detectives have appealed for anyone who was in the vicinity of Marble Drive or Cobble Street around the time of the incidents to contact police. Investigators are checking CCTV, doorbell and dashcam footage and are seeking witnesses who may have seen suspects or vehicles in the area.
Cobblebank is part of Melbourne’s rapidly growing outer-west suburbs. Authorities did not release the identities of the deceased pending family notification, and no arrests had been publicly announced on Sunday.
The double death has prompted renewed scrutiny of youth violence and gang-related incidents in Melbourne and surrounds, and the homicide squad said detectives will work to establish motive and to identify all persons of interest. Police said further updates would be provided as enquiries progress and urged members of the public with information to come forward.