A Melbourne woman on her way to work was stabbed in the back by a total stranger during the day. The incident has made the victim too afraid to ever leave her home again and has people wondering if the streets of the city are safe anymore.
Wan Lai, 36, and a sushi maker, was strolling along Little Bourke Street off Spencer Street on the morning of October 2 when a person ran up behind her. It was all captured by security cameras. A woman ran up from the rear and stabbed Ms Lai in the chest, then fled down the city streets with the knife still clutched in her hand. This occurred at 7.40 in the morning when there were plenty of people around going to work.
Onlookers rushed over to assist Ms Lai before the ambulance arrived. She suffered a punctured lung and was hospitalised for three days. The doctors mentioned the knife blade almost struck her heart. If she had gone a little deeper, she probably would not have survived.
Victim Now Lives in Fear
Ms Lai’s sister, Ivana, talked to journalists and told them that her sister’s life has totally changed. She’s now always in fear and doesn’t leave the house. “She doesn’t dare to go out anymore; she’s always on guard,” Ivana said. Ms Lai can no longer bear anyone following her behind. She keeps turning to look for who’s behind her. The most terrible thing is that this took place only 550 meters from where she works. That’s about a five-minute walk. She should have been safe that close to work, especially during the morning rush.
Woman Behind Bars Wants Out
Police arrested 32-year-old Lauren Darul the same day it occurred and confiscated a knife from her. She was charged with intentionally injuring someone and doing so while she was already out on bail from previous charges. That is, she had other criminal charges against her and judges had released her on bail pending those court cases.
She appeared in court on 3rd October, and the judge ordered that she be kept in jail. But Darul now wants to be released. She has applied for bail, and there is a hearing for the same next Tuesday. Opposition politician Brad Battin is upset about this. He says it reveals that the state’s bail system is broken. People who commit violent crimes keep getting let out and then hurt more people.
Is the City Safe or Not?
The Premier, Jacinta Allen, was forced to answer reporters’ questions about whether Melbourne’s city center is safe. She called what happened “absolutely sickening” and said violent people shouldn’t be walking around free. But when journalists pressed her to ask her straight out whether the CBD is safe, she did not actually respond. A few days previously, she’d declared the CBD completely safe after police had chased a man through the city who’d stolen cars with an imitation gun.
Government Promises More Cops
Allen vowed that there would be more police in the streets soon. The new police chief, Mike Bush, has made it his mission to get more officers out in the field, she said. “Victoria Police will be more visible on the street,” she informed reporters. That does not help Ms Lai today, however. She remains homebound, too scared to lead her life normally.
What’s so terrifying about this attack is that it was totally random. Ms Lai had never seen this woman before. She was simply walking to work, like literally thousands of other people walk to work every single day. The knife barely missed her heart. She’s fine, but the terror is not dissipating. The case continues through court, with next week’s bail hearing determining whether Darul remains behind bars or is released on bail pending her trial. For Ms Lai and her family, regardless of court outcomes, their lives have forever been altered.
News At Glance
- Wan Lai, 36, was stabbed in the back on the way to work on October 2 at about 7.40 am.
- The victim suffered a punctured lung, now too afraid to leave home or have people behind her.
- Lauren Darul, 32, was arrested the same day, is now in prison, requesting to be granted bail.
- Premier described the attack as sickening but refused to comment directly as to whether CBD is safe.
- The government vows to have more police on the streets, but the victims’ trauma will go on.
FAQs
- When did the Melbourne CBD stabbing take place?
The assault was about 7.40 am on Thursday, 2 October, outside Little Bourke and Spencer Streets.
- How seriously was the victim injured?
She had a punctured lung and spent three days in the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
- Was the suspected attacker already out on bail?
Yes, Lauren Darul has been charged with committing an offence while already on bail.
- Is the accused still in custody?
Yes, she was remanded in custody but has applied for bail with a hearing scheduled for next Tuesday.
- What is the government doing about CBD safety?
The Premier announced more police will patrol streets under a new plan from Chief Commissioner Mike Bush.
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