MELBOURNE, Australia—Andrew (surname withheld) knows what it’s like to be on the receiving end of violent youth crime.
After surviving an attack that saw him threatened with a knife and shot with a bow and arrow, the Melbourne small-business owner says the fatal beating of fellow shopkeeper Van Viet Truong has left him wondering how much worse things can get.
On the weekend, the Vietnamese community mobilised in Melbourne’s western suburb of Sunshine desperate for political change after Truong’s death and the granting of bail to several youths involved.
Days earlier, the 60-year-old grocery shop owner, Truong, stepped in to try stop an alleged shoplifting and assault, when he was set upon.
Truong was dragged to the ground and beaten.
A 12-year-old boy and two 14-year-old girls face a number of charges including causing serious injury, they have been granted bail. Meanwhile, a 15-year-old boy charged with manslaughter remains in custody.
In response, on Aug. 9, hundreds came out to support the “Peaceful Community Rally” organised by the Vietnamese Mothers in Australia.
‘Everyone Has Got a Weapon Now’
Small business owner Andrew says the community is now concerned about what could happen next.
“It happens all the time. I was on the news two years ago after I got shot by someone with a bow-and-arrow,” he told The Epoch Times.
“It sliced me near my chest. They held me up with a knife. I pulled out an umbrella.
“And then the guy ran out, got a bow-and-arrow and shot me.
“It’s gotten worse. Everyone has got a weapon now. They’re all coming with knives.
Andrew laments the safer and better times.
“Australia used to be a nice country. It was the best country. It’s annoying.”
I Was Robbed on Campus: Academic
One of the event speakers was Tuan Dung Lai, a lecturer on AI systems at Swinburne University of Technology.
The 28-year-old was a victim of violent youth crime on campus two years ago.
“I was robbed for a big amount of money on campus in broad daylight,” he told The Epoch Times.
“The cameras recorded everything. It showed everything. It showed them pulling out a knife, chasing me, stealing my wallet, running away in a stolen car on university campus.”
However, Lai said two years had passed and nothing had been done to address the crime against him.
“The guy robbed me. I’ve seen him a couple of times in the city just hanging out and eating well,” he said.
“I want to see some action. We need a change and I’m here for it. I’ll do whatever it takes so it can make an impact and protect people like me as international students.”
Lai said Melbourne risked losing its global reputation as a livable city.
“I don’t feel safe at all. When people ask me how do you feel about Melbourne, I want to tell them it’s the most livable city,” he said. “Right now it’s not.”
Becoming Like the UK: Shop Owner
Steven Nguyen is another small business owner in the area and compares the situation to the UK.
According to Met Police figures, 7,512 children aged between 10 and 14 were suspected of violent crime, including knife offences, in 2023, a rise of 38 percent from 2020.
“I’ve been in Australia for 30 years—it’s my country. But I’ll be honest, the laws are too soft,” Nguyen said, in reference to bail laws.
“I’ve run a business for 20 years. I witnessed 30 kids running around with knives in a shopping centre two months ago.
“They had machetes and I called the police. They ran around Woolworths with knives. All they do is write reports on them.”
The Crime Statistics Agency (CSA) released its figures for the 12-month period to March 2026, showing Victoria’s overall crime rate fell by just two percent.
CSA Chief Statistician Fiona Dowsley said the number of youth offenders was down by 260 to about 7,000, and the number of first-time youth offenders had fallen by more than 1,000.
Former Victorian police minister, Anthony Carbines, conceded that number was still too high.
“There’s more work to do, but crime is down, youth offending is down and more people are being jailed not bailed,” Carbines said in a statement.
“We give police what they need to keep Victorians safe—more powers, tougher laws and stronger consequences.”
Sunshine resident John Cranston believes there are currently not enough police.
“The government hasn’t got enough resources for a start. They haven’t got enough police,” he told The Epoch Times.
“On the news I hear police stations are shut down. They’re spending money on stuff we don’t need.”
The Epoch Times contacted Victoria’s Minister for Police Paul Edbrooke for additional comment.
