Stabbing Victim from Coles Transferred from ICU, Continuing Recovery
The victim of the stabbing incident, a 63-year-old, was attacked by a 13-year-old with a knife.
Claudia Campomaya Watt, the 63-year-old victim of the stabbing incident involving a 13-year-old at a Coles in Ipswich, Queensland, is now recovering after being moved from the ICU.
Watt’s family released a statement on Jan. 16 expressing gratitude to the first responders who helped.
Campomaya Watt is no longer sedated and has been discharged from the ICU.
“We are still in disbelief but relieved that Claudia is on the path to recovery,” the family stated.
“We want to thank the first responders for their crucial medical assistance, as well as the doctors, nurses, and their team who took care of her.
“We also want to acknowledge those who acted swiftly to apprehend the perpetrator.”
Related Stories
In a 9News interview, one of the individuals who pursued the teenager at the Yamanto shopping complex described finding him sitting at the Kmart self-service check-outs, then escorting him back to Coles.“He seemed quite calm, almost indifferent, which was unsettling,” recounted Lee McCann.
“While walking, he asked me if he was in trouble.”
Laws to be Updated
The incident has prompted Queensland LNP Premier David Crisafulli to promise to address a gap in the recently implemented “adult crime, adult time” laws that increase penalties for various violent offenses.
It is expected that more offenses will be added to this list.
Greg Barns, a spokesperson for the Australian Lawyers Alliance on criminal justice, criticized this decision.
“If there is a wave of alleged shoplifting incidents, will those be added as well?
“This is primarily a political move and a risky one.”
The teenager, who is in custody, had his case mentioned in the Ipswich Magistrates Court this week. The case has been adjourned until Jan. 25 for police to prepare a brief of evidence.
- One person dead after storm causes chaos in New South Wales and Queensland
- In Farewell Speech, Biden Highlights Accomplishments and Cautions Against ‘Tech-Industrial Complex’
