One man is dead and six others have been taken to hospital as police investigate whether multiple stabbing incidents across Melbourne CBD are linked.
It’s believed the string of violent events began at a service station in Dandenong North on Saturday at about 10pm, where CCTV footage shows four people allegedly carjacking a white Porsche.
The driver, a 53-year-old Reservoir man was stabbed eight times, while a female passenger can be seen running away.
The man remains in a stable condition in the Alfred Hospital. Neither of his two passengers were injured.
The stolen Porsche was later found in the city just after 3am.
The incident came soon after a shooting incident at a house party just minutes earlier in which the 53-year-old driver allegedly fired a gun at a party for his daughter in Dandenong North.
Two cars containing several party goers chased the Porsche to the petrol station armed with machetes and knives.
The two passengers in the Porsche are believed to have been the driver’s girlfriend and son.
Several hours later at about 1.25am, a brawl erupted outside a nightclub on King Street, where two young men were stabbed.
Multiple men are captured on video kicking one of the stab victims on the ground repeatedly, before a bouncer attempts to step in and break up the fight.
One witness told 7NEWS one of the victims was stabbed in the back “about four or five times”.
“They just all came out of the club in a stampede, people everywhere,” he said.
“They were running for their lives.
“He (the attacker) just appeared to be running anywhere there were people until he found the two that he wanted.”
Four hours later, at about 5.45am, emergency services were called to Bourke Street after reports of another brawl.
Two men were stabbed during the fight, both taken to hospital in a critical condition.
One of the men, a 20-year-old from Cranbourne, later died. The second man remains in hospital.
A 19-year-old man from Broadmeadows was arrested at the scene for affray and is helping police with their investigation.
On Monday, two teenagers were charged over the alleged carjacking in Dandenong North.
A 17-year-old boy from Pakenham was charged with aggravated carjacking, theft of motor vehicle, intentionally and recklessly cause injury, assault in company and assault with a weapon.
Another boy, 15 years old, has also been charged with aggravated carjacking, theft of motor vehicle, affray and assault with a weapon.
A 22-year-old man from Cairnlea was arrested but has been released pending further inquiries.
The two teenagers have been remanded to appear before a children’s court.
Police are currently investigating whether all three incidents are linked.
Acting Superintendent Troy Papworth called the violent acts “frankly disgraceful”.
“Last night, we saw a number of groups, predominantly young men, coming into the city to cause violence,” he said.
“I assure you we will come down hard on people who continue to come into the city and bring violence with them. It shouldn’t be tolerated by the community and it definitely will not be tolerated by police.
“We are exploring whether parties in these investigations are known to each other, but … the investigations do very much remain in their infancy at this stage.
“I am confident we will identify these offenders shortly.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Extracted in full from: Victoria Police news: ‘Disgraceful’ acts of violence leave one man dead, several injured in Melbourne, as potential links | 7NEWS
