K Oteng
A young woman, identified as 22-year-old Mauwa Kizenga, was killed in an apparent random attack on Saturday evening.
The incident occurred while Kizenga was walking on Walderton Avenue in Balga with a relative around 8pm.
According to reports, a man armed with a fishing knife approached Kizenga and inflicted multiple wounds on her thighs and neck.
Despite the efforts of emergency responders, Kizenga succumbed to her injuries.
Neighbours rushed to help stop the bleeding, and she was taken to the Royal Perth Hospital where she died soon after arriving.
Witnesses described the weapon used as long, pointy and jagged.
“It was quite big, it had blood all over it,” Jody Bradbury said.
Bystanders apprehended a 30-year-old man in the driveway of a nearby home until police arrived to take him into custody.
“They were saying ‘drop the knife, drop the knife’, he wouldn’t drop the knife so they hit it out of his hand,” Bradbury said.
It’s believed the may have known Kizenga’s cousin, who is also aged in her 20s.
The man was charged with one count of murder on Sunday night and is due to appear before Perth Magistrates Court on Monday.
Detective Senior Sergeant Katharine Venn called the attack a “terrible and tragic incident”.
“Everyone deserves to be able to walk safely on our streets,” she said.
