Shocking new CCTV footage has revealed the terrifying moment two young men were ambushed by a group of hooded assailants armed with a large machete on a busy Melbourne street. The violent incident, which left both victims fighting for their lives, unfolded on New Year's Eve, casting a dark shadow over the celebrations.
A Terrifying Ambush Caught on Camera
Emergency services were called to the Universal Restaurant on Lygon Street in Carlton at approximately 11.45pm on Wednesday night. The call came from panicked revellers who reported a stabbing. CCTV obtained by news outlets shows a group of up to seven masked and hooded men launching a sudden attack on the two victims, throwing punches in a frenzied assault.
A shout of terror is audible on the footage before one of the young men is struck multiple times. In the chaos, a woman is seen fleeing from the violence erupting on the popular dining strip. The situation escalated dramatically when one attacker, dressed in a black hooded jumper, produced a large machete and brandished it at a victim who had fallen onto the pavement.
Critical Injuries and Heroic Bystanders
The two injured men, aged 20 from Heidelberg West and 18 from New South Wales, managed to escape by stumbling into a nearby shop. They had both sustained serious stab wounds to the chest. Ambulance Victoria confirmed the pair were transported in a critical condition to the Royal Melbourne Hospital.
In the harrowing moments before paramedics arrived, bystanders rushed to help. Witness Ali Kassem said his sister-in-law took control of the scene, applying pressure to one of the men's wounds in a desperate attempt to save his life. "The boys that done the stabbing, they were out to get someone," Kassem told reporters. "Shame on you, boys. That's disgusting. If you're man enough, talk it out."
The owner of a nearby juice bar, Juiced Lygon, recounted serving one of the victims just minutes before the attack. "He wished my sister a happy new year when she handed him the tray," he said. "Not even five minutes later, he was bleeding out in front of me." Another witness described begging emergency operators for help, saying, "He's going to die, he's just a young boy."
Police Hunt and Policy Backdrop
Police are still hunting for the group of up to seven males believed to be responsible. Detectives from the Melbourne Crime Investigation Unit are investigating whether the violent assault was a targeted attack. Authorities have urged anyone with information, CCTV, or dashcam footage to contact Crime Stoppers.
The attack comes in the wake of a state-wide ban on machetes introduced by Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan in September 2023, following a series of knife-related crimes. The law makes it illegal to own, carry, or sell such weapons without an exemption, with penalties of up to two years' jail or a $47,000 fine. A three-month amnesty for handing in machetes concluded on November 30.
This incident was one of several across Victoria that kept police busy on New Year's Eve. State-wide, 18 people were arrested for offences including assaults, driving, and property crimes. The attack raises fresh questions about the effectiveness of weapon bans in the face of escalating street violence.
