Melbourne woman Wan Lai scared to leave home after alleged Melbourne street stabbing
The family of a woman stabbed in the chest during an alleged brazen assault in Melbourne’s CBD say she is now afraid to leave her home.
Wan Lai, 36, was allegedly attacked by a random stranger who ran up to him from behind.
CCTV footage of the incident shows the alleged attacker, Lauren Darul, 32, running towards Ms Lai and thrusting a knife into her chest.
Ms Lai suffered a punctured lung in the alleged attack and was taken to hospital following the incident in Little Bourke Street on October 2.
Police confirmed that Ms Darul was on bail when the alleged incident occurred.
He was arrested the same day after the police allegedly confiscated the knife.
He appeared in court on October 3 and was remanded in custody.
Ms Lai’s brother-in-law told the ABC she was still afraid of going out in public.
“When he sees a stranger walk by, he’ll say, ‘oh, I need to stay away,'” he said.
Ms. Lai shared on social media that the experience gave her a deep appreciation for the impermanence of life.
“And also the courage and warmth of strangers in times of crisis,” he said.
Prime Minister avoids the question
Victoria’s Premier has dodged questions about whether Melbourne’s CBD is safe following the alleged stabbing.
Footage of the incident, which occurred in early October, was obtained by 7News and released Thursday.
Speaking to reporters in Bendigo on Friday, Jacinta Allan defended the decision not to release the attack footage on legal grounds until now.
“These are very serious issues in terms of identifying the victims and perpetrators, and we do not want to see anything that would prevent justice from being served,” he said.
“This shocking, brazen act of violence we saw on Little Bourke St in Melbourne’s CBD is absolutely sickening.”
He said that anyone who committed such a brazen, violent act should not be on our streets.
“This person is currently in custody and in prison, awaiting his court date,” he said.
The comments come just days after Ms Allan said “Melbourne CBD is safe” following a wild police chase through the city after a man allegedly stole two cars with an imitation firearm.
Asked if the Melbourne CBD was still safe, he said the action was “shocking” and thanked Victoria Police for their efforts.
He said a new framework would be implemented soon, with more officers on duty.
“This is how Victoria Police will have a stronger presence on the street under the new Chief Commissioner Mike Bush, under the plan the Chief Commissioner announced this week,” he said.
7News obtained the footage and reported that the victim lived in a nearby apartment and suffered a punctured lung during the attack.
Police and bystanders treated the woman on the sidewalk before taking her to the hospital.
The alleged attacker was seen on CCTV running with a knife through the streets of Melbourne’s CBD following the attack.
Ms. Lai said she felt someone touch her shoulder before she was stabbed.
A police spokesman said his injuries were not life-threatening and he was understood to have been hospitalized for three days.
In a statement shared on Thursday, Ms Allan said: The attack was “sickening”.
“I send my support to the victim of this crime and his family,” he said.
“Anyone who commits such brazen, violent acts should not go out on the streets.
“This act of violence on Little Bourke Street is absolutely sickening.”
Opposition Leader Brad Battin said more needed to be done to keep Victorians safe on the streets.
“Victorians are right to be outraged that their alleged attacker was granted bail – another failure of Jacinta Allan’s broken bail laws,” he said.
“They should be able to walk the streets without fearing for their lives.”
The woman who allegedly stabbed Ms Lai was later arrested and charged with a number of offences.
“Police carried out an extensive search of the area, arrested a woman and seized a knife,” a spokesman said.
“A 32-year-old Melbourne woman has been charged with causing injury with intent and committing a criminal offense while on bail.”
The alleged offender appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court the day after the incident and was remanded in custody.
