A Melbourne mother is struggling to cope after three armed intruders attacked her in a shocking case of mistaken identity. The three young offenders, wearing balaclavas, broke into her Meadow Heights home at 3am on Sunday after firing a bullet through the back glass door.
Once inside, they dragged the 42-year-old victim from her bed by her hair before subjecting her to a brutal assault. "They started kicking me on the head and punching me and then dragged me out from my hair," she told 9News. "They pulled my hair, dragging me all the way out to the lounge room."
The intruders held a gun to the woman's head during the attack. Her 27-year-old roommate was also assaulted and pistol-whipped on the head, sustaining a split wound. He managed to lock himself in his room before the attackers fled.
Police say while the attack was indeed targeted, it was directed at the wrong address entirely. The three offenders remain at large after fleeing in a dark four-wheel drive when noticed by a neighbour.
The attack has left a devastating mark on the victim. "I wish they killed me that night, so I wasn't this traumatised," she said. She is now too frightened to stay in her own home. Adding to her distress, her insurance provider has refused to cover emergency accommodation costs, leaving her with limited options.
Detective Senior Sergeant Simon Pengelly described the incident as "extremely disturbing" and said police are treating it as a priority investigation. "Investigations of this nature are brutal," he told 9News.
Victoria Police are continuing to determine who was the intended target of the attack. Residents with information are urged to contact Victoria Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.