Mother repeatedly stabbed, young son punched in Melbourne CBD attack

A mother was hospitalized after being repeatedly stabbed with scissors by a stranger while attempting to protect her 10-year-old son during an unprovoked attack in Melbourne's CBD. The 27-year-old suspect was apprehended at the scene by three bystanders who restrained and pinned him down, according to Victoria police. The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon as the mother and her three children were walking along Spencer Street.

The attacker allegedly punched the child before turning and attacking the mother, who was stabbed multiple times in the back and left shoulder. The attack took place near the Melbourne West police station, enabling officers to arrive within a minute. Police Superintendent Zorka Dunstan, one of the responding officers, expressed her horror at the incident and praised the bystanders for their quick action.

The mother and her 10-year-old son were taken to the Royal Melbourne hospital for treatment, with the boy being assessed as a precaution. Police confirmed the suspect had a history of family violence and assault charges in New South Wales and Western Australia but was not on bail at the time of the attack. Police suggested there was no apparent motive for the incident and suspected it may have been a result of a mental health episode.

The suspect was deemed unfit for interview and remains in custody pending further questioning. Dunstan emphasized the importance of the bystanders' intervention, stating that it could have resulted in a much more severe outcome.