A 63-year-old Coles worker who was allegedly stabbed on the job by a 13-year-old boy is improving in hospital, her family has revealed.
Police allege the teenager took a knife from inside the supermarket in Ipswich’s Yamanto Shopping Centre, south-west of Brisbane, and approached Coles duty manager Claudia Campomayor Watt as she was stacking shelves on Monday.
He then allegedly stabbed the mum-of-two in the back so violently that the knife went through her abdomen, and witnesses report seeing her lying in a spreading pool of blood.
Ms Watt was rushed to Princess Alexandra Hospital in a critical condition, but has since improved and remains in a stable condition, her family said on Thursday.
‘On Monday afternoon January 13, our family received the devastating news that Claudia had received life threatening injuries after being attacked with a knife while at work,’ they said in a statement.
‘The incident has left us is a state of shock and we remain in the process of trying to come to terms with what has happened.
‘At this time, we can confirm that she is out of ICU and off sedation, and we have been able to speak with her.
‘We would also like to take the opportunity now to publicly acknowledge the support that we have received and thank all those involved who helped to save her life.’
Ms Watt’s family thanked the first responders who they said provided ‘crucial medical attention’ in the aftermath of the attack.
‘To the specialists, doctors, nurses and their team who have continued to provide expert medical care we are extremely grateful,’ the statement continued.
‘We would also like to acknowledge and thank those members of the public who acted quickly to assist in the apprehension of the offender.
‘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 thankfully Claudia is now on the road to recovery.’
The 13-year-old boy has been charged over the attack and his matter was mentioned in Ipswich Childrens Court on Tuesday.
The boy did not appear in person and duty lawyer Peta Dent asked for an adjournment for a brief of evidence to be prepared.
The teen was remanded in custody to front court again on February 25.
Detective Inspector Michael Manago has condemned the violent attack.
‘This is an abhorrent crime that occurred to an innocent, 63-year-old woman who is going about her daily employment at that shopping centre and it shouldn’t happen in society,’ he said.
Police confirmed the alleged attack was random and they believe the boy acted alone.
Detectives are investigating how he obtained the knife, with recent legislation known as ‘Jack’s Law’ restricting their sales in Queensland.
Police have assured the community there would be extra high-visibility patrols at Yamanto Central.
A Coles spokesperson expressed their support for the injured worker and praised those who intervened.
‘Our thoughts are with our store team member and their family… we are committed to providing them with support, as well as their colleagues who are being offered counselling during this difficult time,’ they said in a statement.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli also condemned the incident, calling it traumatic and illustrated a broader issue the state is grappling with.
‘What has unfolded is something that no Queenslander wants to see,’ he said.
‘There’s a sense of deja-vu for the state and is exactly the kinds of incidents that Queenslanders have had enough of.’
The premier flagged further changes to youth justice legislation, following the ‘adult crime, adult time’ laws passed in December which did not include harsher sentences for attempted murder.
‘I’ve already indicated that we are putting together an expert panel to do future changes,’ he said.
Opposition Leader Steven Miles sent his condolences to the family of the worker who was ‘senselessly attacked’.
The incident comes almost a year after Ipswich grandmother Vyleen White was allegedly fatally stabbed by a teen boy in the carpark of a shopping centre.
Ms White’s daughter Cindy Micallef said she felt a sense of history repeating as she is about to mark the first anniversary of her mum’s death.
‘It’s absolutely awful. This is very surreal… it’s like deja-vu. How can this be happening again?’ she told Nine Network’s Today Show earlier this week.
