A 16-year-old boy is accused of repeatedly stabbing a rideshare driver and leaving her for dead in a car park.
The woman was rushed to hospital after being discovered semi-conscious in her vehicle by a security guard at a Gold Coast shopping centre early on Wednesday.
The 32-year-old is in a critical condition at Gold Coast University Hospital with stab wounds to her head, neck and back, police said.
After launching a search, police on Wednesday afternoon charged a 16-year-old Upper Coomera boy with multiple offences.
Officers earlier alleged a male booked a ride with the Uber driver and had travelled from Hope Island to Coomera before she was discovered about 1.25am.
"Our investigations say that she was there for an hour or two before being discovered by the security guard," Detective Inspector Paul Fletcher told reporters.
Police launched a sweeping search after cordoning off part of the Foxwell Road shopping centre on the Gold Coast, with a dog squad seen combing the area.
Police were unsure of the motive for the attack or the reason the trip ended at the shopping centre in the early hours of the morning.
Uber and shopping centre management are assisting police, Det Insp Fletcher said.
The boy has been charged with acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm, armed robbery and deprivation of liberty.
He is due to face Southport Children's Court on Thursday.
Anyone with information or dashcam footage of Foxwell Road between 11pm and midnight should contact police.
