A teenage boy has been charged with attempted murder in a bedside court appearance, after a random attack on three people, including an elderly man now fighting for his life in hospital.
The boy allegedly assaulted the man, along with two other people as they pulled up at a house in Palmerston in Canberra's north about 10:15pm on Friday.
Police said when they arrived at the home, the boy "engaged" police and was only restrained after several officers intervened and capsicum spray was used on him.
The boy's 82-year-old victim is in hospital with critical injuries.
Two other victims were also taken to hospital after the attack.
Police claimed the boy had attacked the car's occupants at random.
The young man, who was also taken to hospital, was this afternoon charged at his bedside with attempted murder, assault, making threats to kill, and obstructing a territory official.
He did not apply for bail and was remanded in custody.
Police have reiterated calls for witnesses, or anybody who saw the boy in Palmerston on Friday evening to come forward.
The case will be back in court in April.
