UPDATE: A shocking machete ambush in Caroline Springs, Melbourne, has left a 15-year-old boy with life-altering injuries and his twin brother forced to flee into a lake. The incident unfolded on December 30, 2025, when the twins were lured to a park after a social media post suggested a one-on-one fight.
Authorities confirm that the twins were quickly surrounded by 11 attackers, one armed with a “zombie killer” machete. Senior Constable Daniel Rankin stated, “Within a minute they were surrounded. It’s a cowardly attack against these two individuals, which has left them with lifelong injuries.”
The assault escalated with one twin suffering serious injuries, including multiple lacerations to his arm and back, while his brother jumped into a nearby lake to escape the violence. The police arrived within minutes, but the attackers fled the scene.
CCTV footage has been released showing a group of boys, aged between 15 and 18, walking through Caroline Springs shortly before the ambush. Investigators believe seven of the offenders arrived in a black Ford Ranger ute with false number plates DRY685, which was later found parked on Boathouse Drive.
This incident has reignited concerns over the escalating levels of knife crime in Victoria. Police reported seizing over 15,000 knives, machetes, and other weapons in 2025 alone. Data from the Crime Statistics Agency reveals that incidents involving machetes have tripled between 2021 and 2024, with young males being responsible for two in five of these incidents.
The Les Twentyman Foundation’s chief executive, Paul Burke, emphasized the need for early intervention to prevent youth crime. He expressed hope that the newly established Violence Reduction Unit will address ongoing issues related to youth violence. Burke commented, “Intervening at the earliest possible point for these young people can break the behavior.”
The attack comes just months after a similar incident where two boys, Dau Akueng, 15, and Chol Achiek, 12, were fatally stabbed in a gang-related attack. This troubling trend highlights a growing issue of youth gang violence in Melbourne, prompting calls for urgent action.
Police continue to investigate the incident and urge anyone with information to come forward. The community is left shaken as the twins recover from this traumatic event, which will have a lasting impact on their lives.
Stay tuned for further developments as authorities work to apprehend those responsible for this brutal attack.
