A 13-year-old boy’s alleged stabbing of a Coles worker who was stocking a refrigerator has exposed a key loophole in Queensland’s new “adult crime, adult time” laws.
The teenager is accused of taking a knife from inside the supermarket in the Yamanto shopping center in Ipswich, southwest of Brisbanee, and stabbing Coles shift manager Claudia Campomayor Watt, 63, about 5.20pm on Monday.
EM Campomayor was rushed to Brisbane’s Princess Alexandra Hospital with the knife still embedded in her back in a critical condition.
On Thursday, her family confirmed that she had been removed from intensive care, is no longer sedated and has been able to communicate with her loved ones.
The boy allegedly tried to flee the scene but was restrained by shoppers and security guards until police arrived.
He was charged with attempted murder on Tuesday morning and no bail application was made at Ipswich Youth Court. His matter will be heard again on February 25.
Queensland Police do not believe the 13-year-old boy and Ms Campomayor interacted before the alleged stabbing.
The alleged random attack was deja vu for many Queenslanders as the most recent crime scene was just a 20-minute drive from where grandmother Vyleen White was allegedly murdered by a youth offender in February 2024.
Claudia Campomayor (pictured) was allegedly stabbed in the back by a 13-year-old boy while working at Coles

Police arrested the teenager (pictured in blue) at the Yamanto shopping center in Ipswich, south-west of Brisbane.
However, his rekindled fear quickly turned to anger after learning that the rushed “adult crime, adult time” laws introduced by Prime Minister David Crisafulli did not include attempted murder.
Crisafulli’s law, which was central to the Liberal Party’s electoral platform, came into force on December 13 following public outrage over the low sentences imposed on children who commit violent crimes.
The changes introduced a mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison for murder and increased maximum sentences for 12 other crimes, excluding attempted murder.
Crisafulli defended the exemption and said “more changes” to the laws are already in the works.
“Let’s see through the (Yamanto) investigation… what happens with the charges in the next few days,” he told reporters Tuesday.
‘We implemented the changes that we brought to the elections, and I said that would be the first step, there will be more changes to the Juvenile Justice Law, many more.

The boy allegedly stabbed Ms Campomayor with a knife taken from inside the Coles about 5.20pm on Monday.

Ms Campomayor (pictured) was rushed to Brisbane’s Princess Alexandra Hospital with the knife still embedded in her back.
“I have already indicated that we are forming a panel of experts to make future changes.”
Rebecca Fogerty, a criminal defense attorney, said The Australian There was “no logical basis” for non-violent crimes, such as illegal use of a motor vehicle, to be included in the new laws, but not attempted murder.
“This harrowing case is a classic example of why slogans don’t work when it comes to criminal justice,” he said.
“Laws do not act as a deterrent, the prospect of higher penalties does nothing to reduce crime.”
Crisafulli assured Queenslanders he would work hard to reduce youth crime.
“It’s so traumatic and what has happened is something no Queenslander wants to see,” he said.
‘I reflect that this incident occurred so close and within a year of what we saw happen to Vyleen White and there is a sense of deja vu; It’s exactly the kind of incident Queenslanders have had enough of.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli defended his extended sentences for young offenders, which did not include convictions for attempted murder.
“My resolve is stronger than ever and I want Queenslanders to know how much we understand that incidents like this simply shake the fabric of who we are, and that a close-knit community like that has to relive the trauma of a year ago.” and also the White family, and also the family involved in this incident.
White’s daughter, Cindy Micallef, called for more police and security guards to patrol shopping centers during school holiday periods.