<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>336930</docID> <postdate>2025-01-24 15:22:59</postdate> <headline>Massive brawl before two boys shot in ‘horrific’ attack</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-336931" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/20230308001772643828-original-resized.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="601" /></p> <caption>A 17-year-old boy, one of two teens shot near a city school after a brawl, is fighting for life. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)</caption> <p><span class="kicker-line">By <strong>Holly Hales</strong> and <strong>Emily Woods</strong> in Melbourne</span></p> <p><strong>Two teens are lucky to be alive following a targeted shooting after dozens of youths became embroiled in a street fight, police say.</strong></p> <p>A 17-year-old boy is fighting for his life in hospital while a 15-year-old has been hospitalised with serious injuries after both were found with gun shot wounds on Vere Street in Collingwood, inner Melbourne, about 1am on Friday.</p> <p>A crime scene was set up around the shooting, which happened near Collingwood College, and armed crime detectives are investigating.</p> <p>Victoria Police Anti-Gangs Division Detective Superintendent Jason Kelly said up to 50 youths had been fighting at a public housing estate on nearby Hoddle Street before the teens were shot and the group fled.</p> <p>"It's certainly concerning when a firearm is used in a public place ... it's really just luck that two people haven't been killed," he told reporters on Friday.</p> <p>"(The 17-year-old) was treated by paramedics and conveyed to a local hospital, where he is at the moment and remains in a very serious condition."</p> <p>Several blocks around Palmer and Vere streets were cordoned off until late Friday morning.</p> <p>Blood has stained parts of the street and the housing complex where the shooting unfolded, as neighbours were rattled by the violence.</p> <p>"When I slept I just heard 'boom, boom, boom ... (now) I want to move house," one resident told ABC Radio Melbourne.</p> <p>Police said the attack was targeted and detectives are investigating whether those involved had any youth gang links.</p> <p>"We will leave no stone unturned to investigate this matter," Det Supt Kelly said.</p> <p>"The specific motivation has not been established ... when we have two young children, a 15-year-old and a 17-year-old, shot on a public street in inner Melbourne, it's certainly of great concern."</p> <p>He urged those involved in the brawl or shooting to come forward before police "come knocking" and said the victims' families were being supported through the "horrific incident".</p> <p>"Members of the public would have been driving along that street and may have CCTV footage or dash cam footage (that may) assist that investigation," Det Supt Kelly said.</p> <p>No arrests had been made over the shooting as of Friday afternoon, but a man who arrived at the scene in the morning was arrested after knives were found in his possession.</p> </body>