CCTV Released as Knife Attack Rocks Melbourne’s North
Police are searching for a hooded man after an 18-year-old was brutally stabbed multiple times in Melbourne’s north in broad daylight, the latest in a string of knife attacks across the city.
The teenager was ambushed on Kingsway Drive in Lalor about 3:45 p.m. on August 25. According to Victoria Police, an unknown offender approached the victim and stabbed him several times in the back before fleeing the scene.
A passerby came to the young man’s aid, and he was rushed to hospital with serious injuries. Authorities say he is now in stable condition.
In an effort to track down the attacker, police have released CCTV footage showing a man walking through a nearby car park. He is seen wearing a white and black hoodie emblazoned with the word “HOODRICH” in large white letters, along with long pants.
Detectives described the suspect as being in his teens, of Middle Eastern appearance, with a thin build. At the time of the stabbing, he was also wearing large black headphones and a balaclava.
“Anyone with information, dashcam footage, or CCTV in the area is urged to contact police immediately,” Victoria Police said in a statement.
The Lalor attack is the latest violent incident to alarm Melbourne residents amid what authorities are calling a knife crime crisis.
Just last week, the city’s Sudanese community was rocked by the deaths of 15-year-old Dau Akueng and 12-year-old Chol Achiek. The boys were ambushed by a machete-wielding gang while walking home from a basketball court in Cobblebank on September 6. Police believe the attack may have been targeted, though mistaken identity has not been ruled out. Up to eight offenders were reportedly involved.
These cases form part of a worrying trend. Victoria’s overall crime rate rose 13.2 percent in 2024, reaching the highest level of youth offending since 2009. Authorities revealed that 6,137 repeat youth offenders were linked to more than 20,000 incidents, fueling public concern.
The escalation has prompted the state government to toughen its approach. Officials recently introduced what they describe as the “toughest bail laws in the country,” following public outrage over repeated violent offenses committed by young offenders.
For now, detectives remain focused on identifying the suspect behind the Lalor stabbing. The victim’s recovery continues as investigators appeal for community assistance to track down the hooded attacker and prevent further violence.
