A terrorist attack took place in a crowded shopping center in Melbourne, Australia, some hours ago. The terrorist, known to the Australain intelligence agency, later died from his injuries.
Victoria Police confirms the attack, saying that the man and his entire family are known for his connections to North African extremists. He used his vehicle, a Holden Rodeo loaded with gas cylinders, to start a fire, first hitting a pedestrian and then mounting the pavement and causing an explosion.
After the explosion, the man used a large knife to attack shoppers, injuring 3 of them. One died later in the hospital, from the injuries sustained.
Police arrived on the scene and were informed by eyewitnesses of what had happened. The car had nearly burned to the ground by that time, but the explosion and the fire didn’t cause further victims.
A stand-off with the police ensued, with the man repeatedly trying to slash the officers with his knife. One civilian intervened, trying to knock the terrorist down with a shopping trolley, but his efforts weren’t successful.
The officers tried to tase the suspect but failed. Eventually, one shot him in the chest, and he was arrested by plain-clothes policemen. The terrorist died later in the hospital.
The man’s identity hasn’t been made public, but details of his life have. He moved to Australia in the ‘90s from Somalia, and had a record of “minor” offenses, including marijuana use, some driving offenses and theft.
In a statement on social media, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison says, “Australians will never be intimidated by these appalling acts and we will continue to go about our lives and enjoy the freedoms that the terrorists detest.”
He also mentions that, while the investigation is ongoing, this there is “no ongoing threat.”
After the explosion, the man used a large knife to attack shoppers, injuring 3 of them. One died later in the hospital, from the injuries sustained.
Police arrived on the scene and were informed by eyewitnesses of what had happened. The car had nearly burned to the ground by that time, but the explosion and the fire didn’t cause further victims.
A stand-off with the police ensued, with the man repeatedly trying to slash the officers with his knife. One civilian intervened, trying to knock the terrorist down with a shopping trolley, but his efforts weren’t successful.
The officers tried to tase the suspect but failed. Eventually, one shot him in the chest, and he was arrested by plain-clothes policemen. The terrorist died later in the hospital.
The man’s identity hasn’t been made public, but details of his life have. He moved to Australia in the ‘90s from Somalia, and had a record of “minor” offenses, including marijuana use, some driving offenses and theft.
In a statement on social media, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison says, “Australians will never be intimidated by these appalling acts and we will continue to go about our lives and enjoy the freedoms that the terrorists detest.”
He also mentions that, while the investigation is ongoing, this there is “no ongoing threat.”
— Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) November 9, 2018