A teenage boy has managed to escape injury after two machete-wielding thugs allegedly chased him down in Melbourne’s west.
Students from Caroline Chisholm Christian College were forced to hide as afternoon school pick-up took a violent turn on Friday.
Students were forced back into the classroom, some telling 9News the attack may be in retaliation to the death of 16-year-old Pasawm Lyhym in May.
(9News)
Police say a student from the Braybrook college was approached by two males around 3.30pm on Friday before he was threatened with two large knives.
The victim managed to outrun the pair, one of whom ditched his weapon in a front yard on Ravenhall Street.
The 40 centimetre blade was spotted by a resident and seized by police on Saturday morning.
An email was sent to parents from the school’s principal confirming the incident and reassuring parents “the safety and wellbeing of every student is our highest priority”.
“It’s these gangs that are coming around and picking on innocent kids,” local resident Corrinna Cassar told 9News.
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“It’s not just Chisholm, it’s everywhere.”
The college is no stranger to violence.
When 16-year-old old Pasawm Lyhym was killed at a Sunshine bus stop in May, police maintained a presence at the school, where it’s understood the alleged offenders attended.
Witnesses have told 9News, this latest attack may have been sparked by Pasawm’s death.
Residents say the college has been forced into lockdown at least three times since May as a result of escalating violence.
Locals are calling for more to be done by police in the area to combat the level of youth crime.
“They’re getting charged, then they’re getting caught again, and then, they’re on bail… there needs to be a harsher punishment,” Cassar said.
No arrests have been made.
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