Police arrested seven people as part of its investigation into the deaths of two children in Cobblebank earlier this month.
From 6am On Friday, September 19, warrants were executed at properties in Melton South, Thornhill Park, Caroline Springs, Sunbury, Wollert, Hillside and Sydenham.
Those arrested include a 19-year-old Thornhill Park man, a 19-year-old Caroline Springs man, an 18-year-old Wollert man, three 16-year-old boys, and a 15-year-old boy, all from the north-west suburbs of Melbourne.
All seven will now be interviewed by police.
The arrests follow two incidents in Cobblebank on Saturday, September 6 that resulted in the deaths of 15-year-old Dau Akueng and 12-year-old Chol Achiek.
Emergency services were initially called shortly before 8pm that night following reports two children were fatally injured.
Chol was found on Marble Drive while Dau was found on Cobble Street.
Both of the boys were assisted by members of the public before they died at the scene.
Victoria Police crime command assistant commissioner Martin O’Brien said “the word senseless has been used so many times already in relation to the deaths of Dau Akueng and Chol Achiek, because the reality is that it doesn’t make sense”.
“Two children walking home after playing sport, who should have had decades of their lives ahead of them … instead, their devastated families are grieving their loss and all the things they will never get to see two children grow up to achieve and experience,” Mr O’Brien said.
He said the criminal investigation has been exhaustive and complex.
“Today’s arrests are the result of diligent, thorough policework – much of it performed behind-the-scenes and through building sound, reliable evidence,” he said.
“Any incident that is so significantly violent that it results in the loss of a life is a concern for police. The impacts of these deaths, in particular Dau and Chol’s, are felt right through our communities – from the families who have lost their loved one, through to the loss of safety that many people feel as a result, even when they don’t know those involved.”
Mr O’Brien said that locally, police will have increased patrols in the area and are “working closely with community groups”.
