Teenager fatally stabbed in attack at community basketball venue in Melbourne's west

Teenager fatally stabbed in attack at community basketball venue in Melbourne’s west

A 17-year-old boy has been fatally stabbed in an attack during junior basketball game at Werribee’s Eagle Stadium in Melbourne's west last night.

Bless Mulukwat Akoch of Wyndham Vale was attacked just before 6pm inside the venue and was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries where he later died.

Emergency services were called to the sporting complex following the attack with reports indicating that a 15-year-old boy was arrested in connection with the stabbing.

Homicide Squad detectives are continuing to investigate the incident.

Wyndham Basketball on Friday night tweeted the junior basketball league games had been cancelled because of a serious incident.

A woman whose daughter was playing basketball at the time told News Corp the incident was "shocking", advising “my friend saw someone on the floor in the corridor just after he had been stabbed.”

Friends and family are mourning the loss of the boy, known as ‘D’Roy, with tributes posted a GoFunMe page established in the wake of his death.

Eagle Stadium will be closed to the public until Monday.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppersvic.com.au to submit an anonymous report.

Image: Werribee’s Eagle Stadium (top) and Bless Mulukwat Akoch (below, source: Instagram).

About the author

Nigel Benton

Co-founder/Publisher, Australasian Leisure Management

Born in the English county of Dorset, Nigel Benton is the co-founder and Publisher of Australasian Leisure Management, Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific’s only magazine for professionals in all areas of the leisure industry and the www.ausleisure.com.au website - the go to news resource for industry leaders and professionals.

With a long-term commitment to communicating all that is best about the leisure industry (aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues) his career has been defined by an ability to develop and implement industry communications.

Starting his career working in heritage visitor attractions and then adventure travel in Africa and the Middle East, an interest in writing about his experiences led to his change of career into magazine journalism and publishing.

In addition to publishing, Nigel speaks on marketing communications at a range of industry events.

He was made a Life Member of the World Leisure and Recreation Association in 2006 and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (London).

In 2020, he launched the new Asian Leisure Business website.

As of October 2024, he was inducted into the Australian Fitness Awards Roll of Honour at the 2024 AUSactive National Awards.

Among a range of published works and features, his comments on a Blog (blogspot) from 2007 to 2011, when this website went live in its current form, may be interesting to reflect back on.

His philosophy on life is to be kind to all and to indulge those that you love.

His passions include family, Newcastle United and motorcycles (especially British ones) as well, until February 2025 when she left us, caring a little pug named Stella.

Click here to connect with him via LinkedIn.