Bystanders who intervened in the horror alleged attack of a mother and son in Melbourne’s CBD have been described as “heroic” by police, while a man has since been charged over the incident.
A man allegedly punched the boy in his upper body outside Victoria Police Centre on Spencer Street in Docklands about 1pm on Tuesday.
A 46-year-old woman, who was with the boy at the time, intervened and was allegedly stabbed to the upper body.
The alleged victims, who have been identified as a mother and her son, were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Police in the area arrested a 27-year-old man and seized a pair of scissors.
The alleged offender was charged with affray, intentionally causing injury and unlawful assault, conduct endangering life and conduct endangering serious injury.
He was remanded in custody and is expected to appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
Speaking to media on Tuesday, Superintendent Zorka Dunstan said the man had allegedly “randomly punched” the boy as he walked past.
“Once he did that, he kept walking south. As he’s kept walking, he’s then turned around, he’s grabbed the mother in a headlock and he’s started to stab her repeatedly with a pair of scissors,” Supt Dunstan said.
She said a member of the public intervened and “jumped onto” the alleged attacker.
“He’s grabbed him off the female and in addition, we had two other citizens come and assist him with pinning this male down,” she said.
The 27-year-old was then swiftly arrested by police.
Two other children who witnessed the incident were not injured.
The alleged offender was known to police in Victoria, New South Wales and Western Australia.
Superintendent Dunstan said police were “horrified” by the attack.
“Any offending of this nature is horrific anywhere,” Supt Dunstan said.
“It’s completely random. We’re horrified by it.
“I’m just grateful that we had people assist immediately.
“There’s no doubt that if they didn’t assist, it would’ve been a lot more serious.”
The Superintendent described the actions of those who intervened as “heroic”.
“Without a doubt without their intervention, it could’ve been a lot worse,” she said.
“So we are so grateful for their assistance and I’m sure the family are as well.”