UPDATE: A 16-year-old boy has been charged with the brutal murders of Dau Akueng, 15, and Chol Achiek, 12, in a shocking act of revenge linked to a prior homicide. Prosecutors revealed that the deadly attack was motivated by retribution for the December 2024 murder of Kon Hsu Sein, as the accused was denied bail in the Supreme Court on Wednesday.
The murders occurred on September 6, 2024, just before 8pm in Cobblebank, where the victims were ambushed by a group of eight teenagers armed with machetes. Authorities confirmed that the victims had no gang affiliations and were simply walking home after disembarking from a bus when they were targeted.
During the attack, Dau Akueng and Chol Achiek were stabbed to death within 150 meters of each other, while a third friend managed to escape. Police described the scene as one of the worst knife crimes in recent history, prompting immediate legislative action to ban machetes in the state.
In court, Justice James Elliott detailed the horrific chain of events. The accused, along with his co-accused, allegedly drove in a stolen vehicle, stopping to intimidate a teenager before pursuing the three boys. Eyewitness accounts revealed that the attackers relentlessly chased Chol and Dau, culminating in their tragic deaths.
Autopsy reports disclosed that Dau suffered a staggering 72 injuries while Chol endured five, with both boys’ left hands severed during the onslaught. Detective Senior Constable Jarrod Brookman highlighted the connection between the Cobblebank attack and the earlier murder of Kon Hsu Sein, stating, “The motive for this attack was youth gang culture, specifically targeted at young Sudanese males.”
Crown prosecutor Kristie Churchill emphasized the terror faced by the victims’ families, revealing that many are now seeking home security systems and contemplating leaving the area. “They are terrified,” she stated, as she opposed bail for the accused, citing ongoing risks to community safety.
Defense attorney Colin Mandy argued for rehabilitation, insisting that his client poses no risk if granted bail and highlighting strong family support. He proposed a bail address in Queensland, backed by a $100,000 surety from the accused’s grandmother. However, Justice Elliott ultimately rejected the bail application, deeming the risk to the community too high.
The accused will return to children’s court in February, as investigations continue into this tragic case that has shocked the Cobblebank community. The ongoing fallout from these violent acts has left families in fear, raising urgent questions about youth violence and gang culture in the region.
As this story develops, community members and officials are calling for heightened awareness and preventative measures to protect against further incidents. Stay tuned for more updates as we monitor this disturbing case.
