World · East Asia & Pacific · 1 day ago
Family warns teenagers against accepting money to carry out crimes
A 13-year-old boy is in critical condition after an alleged firebombing in Melbourne’s north-west early on Monday.
Police allege the boy and other youths were involved in setting fire to two cars, and he caught fire during the incident.
His sister has urged young people to reject cash offers to commit crimes and to seek help if they are approached.
Police allege the group was promised $3,000 to carry out the attack, with middlemen involved.
Two 16-year-old boys have been charged and are in custody, while a 15-year-old was arrested and released without charge.
The injured boy has undergone a 12-hour skin graft operation, and police told a court he could die from his injuries.
The family’s warning comes amid a spate of firebombings in Melbourne.
A 13-year-old boy was critically injured in an alleged firebombing of two cars in Melbourne’s north-west in the early hours of Monday.
The boy suffered burns to almost 90 per cent of his body and underwent a 12-hour skin graft operation at the Royal Children’s Hospital.
His sister urged young people to reject offers of cash to commit crimes and to seek help if approached.
Police allege the youths were promised $3,000 to carry out the arson, while one accused teen later offered the family $1,000 and apologised in messages.
Two 16-year-old boys have been charged and are in custody; a 15-year-old boy was arrested and released without charge.
- Who
- A 13-year-old boy, his sister and youths accused of the arson
- What
- An alleged firebombing left the boy critically injured, prompting his sister to warn young people against taking cash to commit crimes
- When
- Early Monday; the articles were published on October 9 and 10, 2026
- Where
- Melbourne’s north-west, Victoria
- Why
- Police allege the youths were promised $3,000 to carry out the arson
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
I want the community to know that street violence isn't worth their life and never will be
Walk away. Speak up. Tell someone. Protect your life,
I've sent $1'000 [sic] to a friend to give to you guys and [the boy] when he recovers hopefully that helps you guys out.
Two cars were allegedly set alight in Melbourne’s north-west, and the 13-year-old boy caught fire.
The boy was taken to hospital with burns to almost 90 per cent of his body.
One accused teen contacted the boy’s family, apologised and offered $1,000, according to messages reported by the ABC.
Two 16-year-old boys were charged and held in custody, while a 15-year-old arrested in connection with the incident was released without charge.
- Injured boy
- 13 years old
- Burn injuries
- Almost 90 per cent of his body
- Alleged promised payment
- $3,000
- Payment offered to the family
- $1,000
- Charges
- Two 16-year-old boys were charged; a 15-year-old was released without charge
Sources
Related news
13-year-old charged with murder after man stabbed in Sydney’s west
North Korea fires multiple ballistic missiles toward East Sea, South Korea says
North Korea fires multiple ballistic missiles toward eastern waters, Seoul says
China sanctions Paraguay and Belize ministers over Taiwan ties
Russian emergencies minister visits North Korea for disaster cooperation talks
Melbourne imam says he will stop speaking amid UAE allegations
North Korea fires several ballistic missiles toward the East Sea
Indonesia moves eight endangered orangutans to safety after Borneo fires
Former students back ICC President Tomoko Akane after U.S. sanctions
Greens urge Australia to block planned US execution livestream
Thailand flood death toll rises to 71 since September 16
