A teenage girl was stomped on, stabbed and kicked in the head by a group of teens, after an online feud escalated into a violent, planned attack in Melbourne’s west, police say.
About 7.15pm on Wednesday, two groups of youths met at Robert Bruce Reserve in Deer Park before a confrontation broke out. Two victims, police said, were set upon by a larger group, with the fight spilling out onto a residential street.
“One of the victims was brutally assaulted,” Detective Acting Sergeant Ali Samie from the Brimbank Divisional Response Unit told media on Thursday morning.
“She was kicked to the head, stomped on, and stabbed repeatedly by one or more of the offenders. She received serious injuries and is currently in a stable condition [in hospital].”
An Ambulance Victoria spokesperson confirmed that paramedics were called to the site and transported a teen girl with both upper and lower body injuries to hospital in a serious condition.
Samie said police were currently investigating an online feud as a potential motive for the attack, which he said involved more than 10 youths.
Footage from a nearby property shows a large group of people gathering before running out towards the street.
Blood splatters along the footpath and over the road was still visible on Thursday morning, with multiple knives collected by police. An empty packet of knives with blade covers was also found, along with a black hair extension.
Samie said that although it was still unclear how long the youths met for, police believe “that it was a planned meeting”.
“It’s deeply concerning,” he said. “It’s outrageous that youths are out there wielding these knives, stabbing people.
“It only takes a millimetre, and we’re talking about a homicide. We’re very lucky in this case that we’re not having that conversation. The victim is in hospital, recovering, receiving treatment, and speaking with us, but it very easily could have been a lot more serious.”
He said footage had emerged showing the attack, which pictured the victim being kicked in the head while she was on “all fours on the ground”.
“And then one of the offenders has jumped on her head. That was very distressing and very hard for me to watch,” he said.
The 18-year-old suffered up to six stab wounds to the upper body. Samie said another woman was also assaulted, but was not stabbed.
When asked what the online feud was about, Samie said the exact motive was still unclear. “These days, through social media, things spread like wildfire.”
Premier Ben Carroll said the incident was “shocking”, but said it serves as an example to why “we need a zero tolerance approach”.
“We will give the police every resource they need,” he said. “And that just goes to show you why things like Jack’s law is so important, giving the police the powers they have.
“I will give the police the powers and resources they need to stop knife crime.”
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who has information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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