Firebombing in Melbourne leaves 13-year-old with critical burns
A 13-year-old boy remains in critical condition. He has 90 per cent burns from a firebombing in Taylors Hill on Monday.
A 13-year-old boy is in critical condition. The boy suffered severe burns in a firebombing in Taylors Hill, northwest Melbourne, on Monday.
Police say he was in a vehicle when two cars were set alight on Woolwich Way around 5am. The boy tried to flee but crashed into bushes.
Three teenagers, two 16-year-olds and a 15-year-old, have been arrested for questioning. Police believe the incident is linked to organised crime syndicates that recruit young people to commit arson.
"We have a young boy whose life is currently hanging in the balance," Detective Inspector Chris Murray said. Victoria has experienced a spate of arson attacks on vehicles, homes and businesses.
Police believe these attacks are used for intimidation within criminal networks.
- 90 per cent of body
- Burns severity
- Monday around 5am
- When it happened
- Two 16-year-olds and one 15-year-old
- Arrested for questioning
Why it mattersThe case shows how criminal syndicates exploit youth. They get young people to commit violent crimes. Young offenders bear all the legal risk.
AustraliaVictoria is experiencing a growing arson epidemic linked to organised crime, with criminal networks recruiting teenagers to commit attacks.
Corroborated bycanberratimes.com.au·7news.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 h ago
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