Incredible update in case of Coles worker who was allegedly stabbed on the job by a 13-year-old boy
A 63-year-old Coles worker who was allegedly stabbed by a 13-year-old boy while at work is improving in hospital, her family have revealed.
Police allege the teenager took a knife from the supermarket at the Yamanto Shopping Center in Ipswich, southwest of Brisbane, and approached Coles duty manager Claudia Campomayor Watt, 63, as she was stacking shelves.
He then allegedly stabbed the mother of two in the back so seriously that the knife went through her stomach.
Mrs Watt was rushed to Princess Alexandra Hospital where her condition improved overnight and remains stable, her family said.
“On Monday afternoon, January 13, our family received the devastating news that Claudia had suffered life-threatening injuries after being attacked with a knife while at work,” they said in a statement.
“The incident has left us in a state of shock and we continue to try to come to terms with what happened.
‘At this time we can confirm that she is no longer in intensive care and is not sedated, and we have been able to speak to her.
‘We would now also like to take this opportunity to publicly acknowledge the support we have received and thank everyone involved who helped save her life.’
Mrs Watt was rushed to Princess Alexander Hospital where her condition improved overnight. She remains in a stable condition
The alleged perpetrator was reportedly living in a care home under the NDIS and has ‘complex needs’
The Coles worker’s family thanked ‘first responders’ who they said provided ‘critical medical assistance’ in the aftermath of the attack.
“We are extremely grateful to the specialists, physicians, nurses and their teams who have continued to provide expert medical care,” they continued.
‘We would also like to thank members of the public who acted quickly to assist in the arrest of the perpetrator.
“To the wider community who have sent well wishes, prayers and support, thank you. All these things make a difference.
‘We still have a long journey ahead of us, but fortunately Claudia is now on the road to recovery.’
The teenager was charged overnight and his case was referred to Ipswich Childrens Court on Tuesday.
The boy did not appear in person and lawyer Peta Dent asked for an adjournment so that a brief statement of evidence could be prepared.
The teenager was remanded in custody at the court on February 25.
Police allege the teenager took a knife from the supermarket at the Yamanto Shopping Center in Ipswich, southwest of Brisbane, and stabbed Ms Watt.
Detective Inspector Michael Manago condemned the violent attack.
“This is an abhorrent crime that happened to an innocent 63-year-old woman doing her daily work in that mall, and this should not happen in society,” he said.
Police confirmed the alleged attack was random and they believe the boy acted alone.
Detectives are investigating how he acquired the knife, with recent legislation known as ‘Jack’s Law’ restricting its sale in Queensland.
Police have assured the community that there will be additional high visibility patrols at Yamanto Central.
A Coles spokesperson expressed support for the injured worker and praised those who intervened.
“Our thoughts are with our store team member and their family… we are doing everything we can to provide them with support, as well as their colleagues who are receiving guidance during this difficult time,” they said in a statement.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli also condemned the incident, calling it traumatic and illustrating a broader issue the state is grappling with.
“What has unfolded is something no Queenslander wants to see,” he said.
“There’s a sense of deja vu for the state and these are exactly the kind of incidents Queenslanders are fed up with.”
The Prime Minister marked further changes to youth justice legislation, following the ‘crime against adults and adult time’ laws passed in December, which did not provide for tougher penalties for attempted murder.
“I have already indicated that we are putting together a panel of experts to implement future changes,” he said.
Opposition Leader Steven Miles offered his condolences to the family of the worker who was ‘senselessly attacked’.
The incident comes almost a year after Ipswich grandmother Vyleen White was fatally stabbed by a teenage boy in a shopping center car park.
Mrs. White’s daughter Cindy Micallef said she felt like history was repeating itself as she is about to mark the first anniversary of her mother’s death.
‘It’s absolutely terrible. This is very surreal… it’s like deja vu. How can this happen again?’ she told Nine Network’s Today Show.