EXCLUSIVE
An extraordinary photo shows how a Melbourne couple’s wedding ceremony ended bloody when a mystery assailant stabbed a guest in the stomach with a screwdriver before fleeing.
Maketh Bul and his bride Aluet Diing Aruai exchanged their vows at Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Williamstown on Saturday, in the presence of about 700 family, friends and community members.
But what started as a beautiful day ended in tragedy when one of their guests, a 25-year-old man, was left shocked as the reception at the Croatian Center in Sunshine West came to an end in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Wedding guest Ajak Deng Chiengkou told Ny Breaking Australia there was a “sudden disturbance” at the entrance to the venue at around 12.30pm when glass candle holders smashed to the ground as it fell.
Moments later, brave witnesses desperately huddled around the victim, trying to stop the bleeding – while others called paramedics – and the mystery attacker disappeared.
A man, 25, was treated by ambulance staff at the shelter after being stabbed in the stomach with a screwdriver
Maketh Bul (left) and Aluet Diing Aruai (right) exchange vows on Saturday
Paramedics are pictured tending to the man after heroic bystanders stabilized him
Fearing that he was dead, the victim’s shocked female relatives began to cry.
Despite initial reports that the man had been stabbed in the neck, Mr Chiengkou said he had actually been stabbed in the stomach area.
“Witnesses, especially those close to the victim, were overwhelmed with emotion and feared the worst,” Chiengkou said.
‘His aunts were deeply affected.’
The victim remained alert as they waited for the ambulance to arrive.
While lying on the ground, the man placed his head on his cousin’s lap for support and remained still to prevent further bleeding.
No one saw the attack or was able to identify the person responsible, even though it may have been another wedding guest.
“Everyone, including myself, was eager to know who stabbed the young man lying on the ground at the entrance, but unfortunately no one could provide the crucial answers that were needed,” Mr Chiengkou said.
As the victim was taken away by paramedics and loaded into the back of an ambulance, he bravely raised his upper body to let loved ones know he was okay.
Pictured: The inside of the Croatian Center on Fitzgerald Road in Sunshine West
Police officers quickly locked the front door of the venue and guests outside were no longer allowed to enter. The screwdriver used in the attack was found at the scene.
‘The cause of the altercation between the young people at the wedding remains unclear. “If the attacker had been spotted, immediate action would have been taken and handed over to the police,” Chiengkou said.
‘Despite his injuries, the victim showed remarkable resilience. As he was lifted into the ambulance, despite the bleeding and stab wound in his abdomen, he managed to lift his head, which reassured onlookers.
“It appears his condition was not considered critical until after he arrived at the hospital.”
Mr Chiengkou said the victim has no family connection to the bride or groom and is a resident of Adelaide, despite reports he is from Werribee.
Although Western weddings are traditionally invitation-based, Mr Chiengkou said, Saturday’s event, like many other Dinka weddings, was open to the community and anyone who wanted to come was welcome.
Many of the couple’s relatives – as well as other members of the Sudanese community – traveled to Melbourne for the wedding.
Mr Chiengkou said that because many attendees at the wedding did not know each other directly, it has become difficult to identify the attacker.
Mr Chiengkou has also dismissed accusations that the wedding was “rowdy” and that such descriptions do not take into account the social and cultural context of South Sudanese celebrations.
After living in Melbourne for more than 17 years, he said he attended a South Sudanese event at the Croatian Hall every year without any problem.
“It is typical for South Sudanese families to jump, sing or ululate as part of their cultural practices at weddings,” he said.
‘These employees know that those present will sing and dance all evening.
A police car arrives on the scene after the young man was stabbed
‘You should therefore not expect a South Sudanese wedding to be in accordance with their cultural norms. In South Sudanese culture, marriage is deeply revered, and violence is unexpected at such events.”
When the crisis first broke out, Mr Chiengkou said the panic was localized at the front entrance, while the rest of the people in the room – including the staff, other guests and the bride and groom, who were sitting on the stage – didn’t know what was happening. happened and not involved.
Mr Chiengkou said as soon as they became aware of the incident, the bride, groom, their families and all other guests were upset.
He said the attack came at a time when the Sudanese community was already struggling with heightened fears that young people would harm themselves.
“This incident has only made the concern for youth safety more urgent for everyone in the community,” he said.
A Victoria Police spokesperson told Ny Breaking Australia on Monday that detectives from the Brimbank Crime Investigation Unit were working to track down the perpetrator.
“The exact circumstances surrounding the incident are yet to be established at this stage and investigations are ongoing,” the spokesperson said.
‘Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.’