Seven arrested over the deaths of Dau Akueng and Chol Achiek

“We want to be close to him,” he said.

“I miss his smile the most. The way he talked to me. He was my best friend. He was the best friend to our whole family. Life is very stressful now. It is very, very difficult.”

In the days after his son’s death, Ngong, who fled his homeland of South Sudan, said:“We came here, from war, for our children to have a better life. Now you regret coming. Children are the root of the tree. Without them, your life is uprooted.”

The two boys have been remembered as bright, beloved members of their community, talented basketballers and promising young leaders.

Chol is believed to be the youngest victim so far of Melbourne’s youth gang crisis, which The Age has linked to more than 20 homicides in the past five years.

Ngong remembered his “intelligent, funny, peaceful boy” as a natural leader who “looked after everybody”.

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Elbino Akueng, the father of Dau, was at his job as a security guard when he heard news that two children had been killed. “I protect people where I work, but no one protects my family at home,” he said in the days after his son’s death.

On Friday, Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Martin O’Brien said the investigation into the deaths was ongoing.

“The word ‘senseless’ has been used so many times already in relation to the deaths of Dau Akueng and Chol Achiek, because the reality is that it doesn’t make sense. Two children walking home after playing sport, who should have had decades of their lives ahead of them,” he said.

“Instead, their devastated families are grieving their loss and all the things they will never get to see two children grow up to achieve and experience.”

O’Brien said the complex investigation was led by the homicide squad and detectives have worked for two weeks to try and identify those involved.

“Of the seven people arrested today, the oldest is just 19 while the youngest is 15. Again, there is no other word for this than senseless.

“Any incident that is so significantly violent that it results in the loss of a life is a concern for police. The impacts of these deaths, in particular Dau and Chol’s, are felt right through our communities – from the families who have lost their loved one, through to the loss of safety that many people feel as a result, even when they don’t know those involved.”

He said that police had increased patrols in the area, were working with local community groups, and would continue to ensure the families were supported.

“I’d also like to acknowledge the members of the public who assisted both boys following the attacks, most likely without knowing whether their own safety was at risk,” he said.

Warrants were executed from 6am on Friday at houses in Thornhill Park, Caroline Springs, Wollert and surrounding areas.

Those arrested include two 19-year-old men from Thornhill Park and Caroline Springs, an 18-year-old Wollert man, three 16-year-old boys and a 15-year-old boy, all from the north-west suburbs of Melbourne.

Following the murders of the two boys, Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush sent an internal memo to officers supporting comments made by Detective Inspector Graham Banks, who broke rank with the courts and state government to say existing penalties for youth offenders did not reflect community expectations.

Banks said to journalists in the days after the stabbings that rising crime in Victoria was not just a policing problem, and strong deterrents were needed.

“Whether that balance is right is really a matter for the community and the courts and ultimately the government,” he said.

“But as I stand here before you, I think the penalties aren’t in balance with what community expectations are or mine.”

Bush said Banks had his full support as the force faced challenging times and responded to “unacceptably high levels of crime”.

“I also want to acknowledge the comments of Detective Inspector Graham Banks … who said what many [of] us think when asked in a media conference yesterday about the penalties which are being handed down in the courts for our worst offenders,” Bush wrote to officers.

“There must be consequences for those who commit these crimes, which drive fear in our community.

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“While Victoria Police will always respect the independence of the courts, I understand the frustrations of members.

“In my role … I will continue to advocate for a range of interventions (including legislation) that will provide the accountability and deterrence that is evidently needed.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit an online confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au