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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2018/nov/09/melbourne-bourke-street-police-incident-declared-after-car-in-flames

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Bourke Street incident: police confirm assailant dead after 'terror' attack – as it happened Bourke Street incident: police confirm assailant dead after 'terror' attack – as it happened
(about 17 hours later)
This blog has now closed but for the latest updates please follow our rolling coverage here
We are closing our live updates of the terrible events in Melbourne today. We will be following developments again tomorrow on our site.We are closing our live updates of the terrible events in Melbourne today. We will be following developments again tomorrow on our site.
Anybody in Australia affected by today’s incident can contact:Anybody in Australia affected by today’s incident can contact:
Lifeline 13 11 14Lifeline 13 11 14
GriefLine 1300 845 745GriefLine 1300 845 745
BeyondBlue 1300 224 636BeyondBlue 1300 224 636
You can read our full report on the day’s events here:You can read our full report on the day’s events here:
Victorian premier Daniel Andrews’ office has just sent out this statement following his press conference:Victorian premier Daniel Andrews’ office has just sent out this statement following his press conference:
Today, an act of terror struck the heart of our city, in a place where past wounds have still not healed.Today, an act of terror struck the heart of our city, in a place where past wounds have still not healed.
Exact details of what occurred are being investigated.Exact details of what occurred are being investigated.
What we know is that in that moment, our city responded with courage and conviction.What we know is that in that moment, our city responded with courage and conviction.
We saw it in our police, whose swift, brave and decisive action saved lives.We saw it in our police, whose swift, brave and decisive action saved lives.
We saw it in the everyday Victorians, who stayed with and cared for the injured, and stood ready to protect others.We saw it in the everyday Victorians, who stayed with and cared for the injured, and stood ready to protect others.
And we saw it in the firefighters who rushed to the scene, and in our paramedics and hospital staff, who continue to treat the injured.And we saw it in the firefighters who rushed to the scene, and in our paramedics and hospital staff, who continue to treat the injured.
To all of our first responders, we extend our utmost gratitude.To all of our first responders, we extend our utmost gratitude.
And to the victims and their loved ones, we offer our prayers, support and deepest sympathies.And to the victims and their loved ones, we offer our prayers, support and deepest sympathies.
We won’t be defined by this evil act.We won’t be defined by this evil act.
Victorians will continue to go about their business, together and with resolve.Victorians will continue to go about their business, together and with resolve.
The prime minister, Scott Morrison, has also released a statement. He says an investigation by counter-terrorism agencies is underway.The prime minister, Scott Morrison, has also released a statement. He says an investigation by counter-terrorism agencies is underway.
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One person has died after a man drove a car into Melbourne’s Bourke Street and attempted to stab people in a terrorist attack.One person has died after a man drove a car into Melbourne’s Bourke Street and attempted to stab people in a terrorist attack.
The attacker was shot by police at the scene and died in hospital.The attacker was shot by police at the scene and died in hospital.
Police said he and his family members were known to counter-terrorism.Police said he and his family members were known to counter-terrorism.
Two other men were injured and are in hospital, though their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.Two other men were injured and are in hospital, though their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
The attacker had “barbecue-style gas cylinders” inside the car and set it alight.The attacker had “barbecue-style gas cylinders” inside the car and set it alight.
The man had a minor offending history of drug, theft and driving offences, and lived in the north-western suburbs of Melbourne.The man had a minor offending history of drug, theft and driving offences, and lived in the north-western suburbs of Melbourne.
Police did not confirm reports that the attacker shouted “Allahu Akbar”.Police did not confirm reports that the attacker shouted “Allahu Akbar”.
Here is Melissa Davey’s updated report on the attack.Here is Melissa Davey’s updated report on the attack.
Opposition leader Bill Shorten has also praised Victoria Police and the passersby who helped.Opposition leader Bill Shorten has also praised Victoria Police and the passersby who helped.
Once again Victorians are in awe of our extraordinary police officers, who responded so swiftly, bravely and professionally in the Melbourne CBD this afternoon, and the passers-by whose first instinct was to go to the aid of others.Once again Victorians are in awe of our extraordinary police officers, who responded so swiftly, bravely and professionally in the Melbourne CBD this afternoon, and the passers-by whose first instinct was to go to the aid of others.
When evil attacks our city, Melbourne stands together.When evil attacks our city, Melbourne stands together.
A few more details from that press conference.A few more details from that press conference.
Police said the man had a minor offending history of drug, theft and driving offences, lived in the north-western suburbs of Melbourne, and came to Australia from Somalia in the 1990s.Police said the man had a minor offending history of drug, theft and driving offences, lived in the north-western suburbs of Melbourne, and came to Australia from Somalia in the 1990s.
Commissioner Ashton said there was “a lot more work” to be done at the crime scene, and that Bourke Street would likely remain locked off “for as late as 9am tomorrow”.Commissioner Ashton said there was “a lot more work” to be done at the crime scene, and that Bourke Street would likely remain locked off “for as late as 9am tomorrow”.
He also shared a detailed sequence of events of what happened today.He also shared a detailed sequence of events of what happened today.
“A four wheel drive, utility, drove into Bourke St between Russell St and Swanston St and parked there. One male person was in the vehicle. A fire was then started in that vehicle.“A four wheel drive, utility, drove into Bourke St between Russell St and Swanston St and parked there. One male person was in the vehicle. A fire was then started in that vehicle.
“He got out of the vehicle, engaged with some members of the public at that location. Almost within a minute, Victorian Police officers were in attendance in an unmarked vehicle.“He got out of the vehicle, engaged with some members of the public at that location. Almost within a minute, Victorian Police officers were in attendance in an unmarked vehicle.
“He assaulted one of the police offices through the vehicle window by punching him. At that time other police were starting to arrive. He at that time produced a knife and attempted to attack the police officers. One of the officers fired his firearm and shot the offender once in the chest.”“He assaulted one of the police offices through the vehicle window by punching him. At that time other police were starting to arrive. He at that time produced a knife and attempted to attack the police officers. One of the officers fired his firearm and shot the offender once in the chest.”
The man was taken to hospital and died half an hour after he arrived.The man was taken to hospital and died half an hour after he arrived.
The premier, Daniel Andrews, has also spoken. He offered condolences to all affected and said “we will not be defined by this.”The premier, Daniel Andrews, has also spoken. He offered condolences to all affected and said “we will not be defined by this.”
Andrews thanked police for their “very quick response” and said “they have done each and every one of us proud”.Andrews thanked police for their “very quick response” and said “they have done each and every one of us proud”.
“Stranger and bystanders, who knew nobody involved, stepped in without a moment’s hesitation...they too are people whose qualities make us all proud as well.“Stranger and bystanders, who knew nobody involved, stepped in without a moment’s hesitation...they too are people whose qualities make us all proud as well.
“We extend our thoughts and prayers to all who are injured and extend our deepest, deepest sympathies.”“We extend our thoughts and prayers to all who are injured and extend our deepest, deepest sympathies.”
He said people should contact Lifeline, Griefline and Beyond Blue if they had been affected.He said people should contact Lifeline, Griefline and Beyond Blue if they had been affected.
“These are traumatic events, they are terrifying,” the premier said. “Many will have seen them first hand.”“These are traumatic events, they are terrifying,” the premier said. “Many will have seen them first hand.”
Two victims are still in hospital, but their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.Two victims are still in hospital, but their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
Ashton told reporters that all three victims, including one who died, were men.Ashton told reporters that all three victims, including one who died, were men.
Two remain in hospital, and Ashton said he had not received a more recent update before his press conference. But he said it was believed the injuries were not threatening.Two remain in hospital, and Ashton said he had not received a more recent update before his press conference. But he said it was believed the injuries were not threatening.
He said he would not identify any of the victims until families had been notified.He said he would not identify any of the victims until families had been notified.