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Melbourne teenager shot dead after stabbing two police officers Melbourne teenager shot dead after stabbing two police officers
(34 minutes later)
An 18-year-old man has been shot dead in Melbourne after he stabbed two officers outside a police station in the city’s south-eastern suburbs.An 18-year-old man has been shot dead in Melbourne after he stabbed two officers outside a police station in the city’s south-eastern suburbs.
The unnamed man, from Narre Warren, is understood to have stabbed the two officers – one from the Australian federal police (AFP) and one from the Victoria force – as he arrived at Endeavour Hills police station.The unnamed man, from Narre Warren, is understood to have stabbed the two officers – one from the Australian federal police (AFP) and one from the Victoria force – as he arrived at Endeavour Hills police station.
Police would not comment on media reports that the man had made specific threats against the prime minister. Police would not comment on media reports that the man had made specific threats against the prime minister, but the justice minister, Michael Keenan, later said the man was a terrorism suspect.
He had been asked to speak with officers and was attending the station voluntarily. Police said the man had been asked to speak with officers and was attending the station voluntarily.
Police confirmed there was information suggesting the man had recently been seen displaying an Isis flag, but said officers had wanted to speak to him about a “routine” issue. They confirmed there was information suggesting the man had recently been seen displaying an Isis flag, but said officers had wanted to speak to him about a “routine” issue.
Victoria police assistant commissioner Luke Cornelius said the two officers had no idea that the 18-year-old posed a threat. “It’s absolutely clear to us that our members had no choice other than to act in the way in which they did,” he said. This is not an exercise in police seeking to single out particular individuals in the community.”Victoria police assistant commissioner Luke Cornelius said the two officers had no idea that the 18-year-old posed a threat. “It’s absolutely clear to us that our members had no choice other than to act in the way in which they did,” he said. This is not an exercise in police seeking to single out particular individuals in the community.”
The AFP officer was stabbed several times, while his Victorian colleague, who was stabbed twice in the forearm, fired the fatal shot.The AFP officer was stabbed several times, while his Victorian colleague, who was stabbed twice in the forearm, fired the fatal shot.
AFP commander Bruce Giles said the officers and the man had spoken cordially before the stabbing: “The incident took place in the course of normal greetings; so, meeting with the individual, shaking hands, introducing and then the incident unfolded.”AFP commander Bruce Giles said the officers and the man had spoken cordially before the stabbing: “The incident took place in the course of normal greetings; so, meeting with the individual, shaking hands, introducing and then the incident unfolded.”
He said it appeared the man had been acting alone.He said it appeared the man had been acting alone.
Neither Cornelius nor Giles commented on reports that the man had made threats against Tony Abbott. “Where we see individuals behaving in a way which causes concern for public safety, we have to reach out to those individuals,” Cornelius said.Neither Cornelius nor Giles commented on reports that the man had made threats against Tony Abbott. “Where we see individuals behaving in a way which causes concern for public safety, we have to reach out to those individuals,” Cornelius said.
Police declined to confirm the man’s name or occupation, or comment on suggestions that his passport had recently been cancelled.Police declined to confirm the man’s name or occupation, or comment on suggestions that his passport had recently been cancelled.
A crime scene was established, encompassing a nearby car which News Corp reports is believed to belong to the deceased suspect.
Bomb squad officers and police dogs carried out precautionary checks of the police station after the incident, but Cornelius said the measures were precautionary.Bomb squad officers and police dogs carried out precautionary checks of the police station after the incident, but Cornelius said the measures were precautionary.
The more seriously injured officer was taken to the Alfred hospital in a critical condition but was now stable. The Victoria police officer was in a serious condition on Tuesday night, and taken to the nearby Dandenong hospital. The AFP officer, who was more seriously injured, was taken to Alfred hospital. Both men were said to be in a stable condition.
His colleague was taken to Dandenong hospital and is expected to be discharged on Wednesday.
Officers from the homicide squad and professional standards were investigating the incident.Officers from the homicide squad and professional standards were investigating the incident.
The incident comes amid heightened tension in Australia. Abbott has committed a 600-strong military force to the US-led coalition of more than 40 countries against Isis. The militant group has urged its supporters to kill civilians and soldiers in countries – including Australia – taking part in the action. The Islamic Council of Victoria called for a full investigation into the incident.
“It’s with deep sorrow that we note last night’s tragic event,” it said in a statement to ABC.
“Events that on face value should not have cost a young man his life and and put two police officers in hospital.
“The tragedy highlights the real cost of a failure to deal with these serious issues and why we have made numerous calls on the Australian government to deal with the root causes of alienation and disaffection of people such as this.
“This is not about laying blame but about a genuine need to identify the root causes and deal with them so that no further tragedies such as this occur again.”
The incident comes amid heightened tension in Australia. The prime minister, Tony Abbott has committed a 600-strong military force to the US-led coalition of more than 40 countries against Isis. The militant group has urged its supporters to kill civilians and soldiers in countries – including Australia – taking part in the action.
Last week, more than 800 police officers carried out the largest counter-terrorism raids in the country’s history.Last week, more than 800 police officers carried out the largest counter-terrorism raids in the country’s history.
Abbott’s government has plans for tough new anti-terror legislation, including a law that could see Australian citizens jailed if they travel to any area overseas the government has declared off-limits and are unable to show a legitimate reason for doing so.Abbott’s government has plans for tough new anti-terror legislation, including a law that could see Australian citizens jailed if they travel to any area overseas the government has declared off-limits and are unable to show a legitimate reason for doing so.
It raised the country’s terrorism alert level to high for the first time in 11 years earlier this month.It raised the country’s terrorism alert level to high for the first time in 11 years earlier this month.