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AUSTRALIA-SECURITY-POLICE-WRAP
One dead in stabbing rampage in Melbourne
MELBOURNE, Nov 9, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – One person was killed and two others
were injured in a rush hour stabbing rampage in downtown Melbourne Friday,
that saw police shoot a knife-wielding suspect near a burning vehicle.
Police said officers “initially responded to a report of a car on fire” in
the city centre at 4:20 pm local time, but discovered at the scene that
members of the public had been stabbed.
Media showed video footage of police then trying to restrain a large man in
a dark tunic who was lunging, slashing and stabbing wildly at two officers as
a pick-up truck burned nearby.
The officers were seen trying for at least a minute to detain the man
peaceably as his attacks on them continued, before one office shot him with a
weapon.
“A man was arrested at the scene and has been taken to hospital under
police guard in a critical condition,” police Superintendent David Clayton
said.
He said another person died at the scene and two others are still being
treated.
“There is no known link to terrorism at this stage,” Clayton said. “We will
keep an open mind as to whether there is any link. It’s very early stage of
the investigation.”
Police warned people to avoid the area and dispatched the bomb squad to
secure the area and examine the burning car.
Officers said they “are not looking for anyone further at this early
stage.”
“The exact circumstances are yet to be determined at this stage. The area
has been cordoned off,” police said.
“Anyone with information or who witnessed the incident is asked to go to
Melbourne West Police Station to make a statement. We will provide further
information when it comes to hand”
The apparent attack came as a 28-year-old James Gargasoulas underwent trial
in Melbourne for driving into a crowd in the same area in 2017, killing six
people.
BSS/AFP/MR/ 1455 hrs