The horrifying machete killings of two boys aged 12 and 15 in Melbourne on Saturday reportedly may have been sparked by an online meme.
Dau Akueng, 15, Chol Achiek, 12, and a third friend were walking from a bus stop in Cobblebank at about 8pm when they were set upon by a group of people.
Dau and Chol died at the scene.
READ MORE: Notorious mushroom killer Erin Patterson could walk free in her 80s
Today, The Age has reported there is speculation the attack was carried out in response to an online meme.
The news outlet quoted multiple unnamed sources to say the meme had referred to the stabbing death of a youth gang member late last year.
The same sources said neither Dau or Chol were connected to that stabbing, nor had any youth gang affiliations, which police have also confirmed.
READ MORE: Slain police officer Neal Thompson’s partner speaks of unimaginable loss
The attack took place just a week after Victoria enshrined a ban on machetes in state law.
Families of the slain children have called for stronger action.
“This is a basketball player, he’s not a criminal,” Dau’s father Elbino Akueng said on the weekend.
READ MORE: Purported letter from Trump to Epstein released by US Democrats
“I’m talking on behalf of my community, this is happening to us.
“In the last month, we have buried four kids, similar incidents keep happening, but there’s no answer from police.”
DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.
