'I heard a scream': Queensland shopper recalls Coles stabbing
A shopper says a young boy asked if he would be in trouble after allegedly stabbing a Coles worker.
Lee McCann chased a 13-year-old boy police allege attempted to murder 63-year-old Claudia Campomayor at Yamanto Central in Ipswich on Monday.
"I heard a scream and saw the boy run straight past me," McCann said.
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Lee McCann chased a 13-year-old boy police allege attempted to murder a 63-year-old supermarket worker. 9News
"I paid attention to where the scream came from and recognised that it was a Coles worker that I actually knew.
"I was able to go and chase after him and see if I could hunt him down."
Two men flanked him as they raced out of the supermarket.
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Claudia Campomayor was rushed to hospital with critical injuries. 9News
"I'd questioned people along the way and then I was told that he'd actually entered Kmart," McCann said.
"That's when they located him at the self-serve checkouts, he was just sitting there."
McCann said the accused teenager did not put up a fight.
"He was fairly calm, a bit nonchalant, which was a bit disturbing," he said.
"I questioned him about why he was running, he said that he was scared, he'd seen someone stab someone with a knife.
"While we were walking he asked me if he was in trouble."
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The store was temporarily locked down after the alleged attack. 9News
When McCann marched the boy back to Coles the reality of the situation was laid bare.
"That's when I saw the employee on the floor with a knife in her back," he said.
"She was in and out of consciousness, she wasn't reacting to anything I'd said."
Campomayor was rushed to the Princess Alexandra Hospital with critical injuries.
In the first steps on the road to recovery, the supermarket employee was awake this morning and spoke briefly with her son.
The movements of a 13-year-old prior to the alleged stabbing are now under investigation, as police appeal for witnesses.
Investigators now say they understand the boy may have been walking along the Cunningham Highway between Ripley and the Yamanto exit between 1pm and 2.30pm on this date.
They are calling for anybody who may have seen, or interacted, with the boy ahead of the alleged stabbing, or who may have dashcam footage.
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The boy has been charged with attempted murder. Nine
Anybody with information should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 and quote the reference number QP2500074556.
In the wake of the stabbing, Coles has removed kitchen knives from sale nationwide pending the results of a review.
"Coles has made the decision to withdraw its range of kitchen knives for sale from supermarkets across Australia," a spokesperson for the retailer told nine.com.au yesterday.
"SMEG kitchen knives will still be available for redemption at our service desk, until 21 January.
"Coles complies with all legislation regarding the sale of kitchen knives, and this withdrawal is being taken out of an abundance of caution as we conduct a review.
"The safety of our team members and customers is our number one priority across all aspects of our business."
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