Dau Akueng, 15, and Chol Achiek, 12, were attacked by a group of people wielding knives and machetes shortly before 8pm on Saturday, September 6, in Cobblebank.

The pair were found critically injured about 200m apart, with Chol on Marble Drive and Dau on Cobble Street.

They both died at the scene.

This morning at 6am, police carried out warrants at properties in Melton South, Thornhill Park, Caroline Springs, Sunbury, Wollert, Hillside, and Sydenham.

A 19-year-old Thornhill Park man, a 19-year-old Caroline Springs man, an 18-year-old Wollert man, three 16-year-old boys, and one 15-year-old boy, have been arrested.

The boys were all from Melbourne’s north-west.

All seven people will now be interviewed by police.

Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Martin O’Brien said the deaths of the boys were “senseless”.

“I know many people will be feeling shocked, frustrated and concerned in light of this matter,” he said.

“I want to reassure you that locally, police will have increased patrols in the area and are working closely with community groups.”

The community was left reeling in the wake of the boys’ deaths, with one advocate in Melbourne’s African community saying it and similar incidents had prompted parents to try to send their children to schools in Africa, for safety reasons.

“You can move the child here and there, but still the life threatening is in place. So I have to find [a]solution for them to send them back.”