Sydney — Police shot a knife-wielding man Friday after he fatally stabbed one person and injured two others in the centre of Australia's second-largest city, police said.
The incident, which brought central Melbourne to a standstill in the late afternoon rush, came after police responded to reports of a burning vehicle.
Officers were confronted near the burning car by a man "brandishing a knife and threatening them" while passers-by called out that people had been stabbed, Victoria state police Superintendent David Clayton said.
One of the stabbed people was dead at the scene and two others were taken to a hospital.
BOURKE STREET INCIDENT MEDIA CONFERENCE: we’re live with the latest update. https://t.co/QxOBq3zSFU
— Victoria Police (@VictoriaPolice) November 9, 2018
Clayton said investigators did not believe there were any other assailants. The man, who was shot in the chest by police, was in critical condition.
This image made from video shows police cordon in Melbourne, Australia. Police shot a knife-wielding man after he fatally stabbed one person and injured two others in the centre of Australia's second-largest city. Picture: Australian Broadcasting Corporation via AP
Clayton said a bomb squad was making the scene safe. "There's no known link to terrorism at this stage. We'll keep an open mind as to whether there's any link," Clayton said.
If members of the public have images or video footage that may assist police with their investigation into the Bourke Street incident that occurred just after 4pm today, they are encouraged to upload them here → https://t.co/swUcgLVz23 pic.twitter.com/XD2ST6y6aT
— Victoria Police (@VictoriaPolice) November 9, 2018
Victoria police tweeted a request for witnesses to speak to police and share any images that might help the investigation.