A ten-year-old boy and his mother were allegedly attacked at random by a stranger on a Melbourne street while walking to their hotel during a break from the boy's brain cancer treatment. Jerry Sowood, 27, has been charged with affray, intentionally causing injury and other offences after allegedly punching the boy and then stabbing his mother, Cherie, multiple times with scissors while holding her in a headlock. The attack occurred directly outside Victoria Police headquarters and was witnessed by a senior officer from her office window, drawing attention to how such a violent incident could unfold in full view of police.

Six bystanders, including tradesmen, intervened and restrained Sowood until officers arrived. He appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court, where he made unprompted comments about the alleged attack despite being advised not to, and is due back in court on 18 November. The boy is recovering at the Royal Children's Hospital, while his mother is being treated at Royal Melbourne Hospital for injuries to her back and shoulders; the family, from Phillip Island, had two other children present who witnessed the assault. Cherie's brother criticised authorities, saying the state government had "failed Victorians".