Double stabbing in Gippsland1:46
A man has stabbed two colleagues and then fatally shot himself in Gippsland. Courtesy: Seven News
One man dead, two injured in Moe stabbing
A DISTURBED father of two repeatedly stabbed two colleagues during a frenzied attack at a Moe accounting firm before shooting himself dead.
Racing Victoria board member Pearse Morgan was stabbed in the eye, chest and arm and colleague Joe Auciello left fighting for life following yesterday’s shocking incident.
Carl Richardson, 48, a local father and financial planner, was found dead on a bush track shortly after.
Terrified workers ran screaming from RGM Financial Group’s Kirk St office.
It’s believed Mr Richardson had come to work as normal and there was no warning the married man was about to turn violent.
Police said the attack was “out of character” for the nearby Newborough resident, who locals described as a loving husband and family man.
It is believed he had worked at the RGM since August 2014.
“He and his family are nothing but good people,” a family friend said.
“He is an honest, hardworking man ... a great family man who is a very loved and funny guy.”
Mr Auciello, whose condition in The Alfred had improved to serious but stable last night, was ambushed in a toilet of the financial firm about 9am.
Mr Richardson then turned his sights to Mr Morgan.
The 58-year-old firm partner, repeatedly stabbed as a female colleague desperately tried to push the attacker off, told close friend and horse trainer Eric Musgrove how the incident unfolded.
“The offender worked in the office ... you would never pick it. The guy was never a problem,” Mr Musgrove told the Herald Sun.
“Joe went to the toilet and the bloke followed and assaulted him.
“The girls in the office started screaming and he emerged with a knife and pulled it on one of the girls. Pearse said he was OK but in shock ... astounded because he never had an issue with the guy.’’
Mr Auciello, bleeding from a wound to the neck, fled to a nearby Caltex service station.
Loved ones rushed to the bedside of the accounting director, who has worked at RGM for almost a decade and served as treasurer for the local Falcons soccer club.
Detectives were questioning Mr Richardson’s family, who were receiving support, as well as colleagues in a bid to determine what led to the unprovoked attack.
Police were not aware of any threats made by Mr Richardson towards staff.
Inspector Dean Thomas said: “It’s something that was, I believe to be, out of character. It wasn’t expected. We’re just trying to piece it all together to understand the motive.”
The firm’s offices remained a crime scene with blood visible on the front door.
“It was a very traumatic (event) … everyone was severely stressed,” Insp Thomas said.
The Herald Sun believes Mr Morgan was stabbed to the eye, chest and arm.
Bernard Saundry, Racing Victoria (RV) Chief Executive, said: “It is with shock that I confirm that Racing Victoria Director, Pearse Morgan, has been seriously injured in an incident at his Moe business.
“Pearse is in a stable condition at Latrobe Regional Hospital and is awaiting surgery later today. His injuries are not life threatening.
“Our thoughts and best wishes are with Pearse, his partner Sonia and the Morgan family following this tragic event.
“I know the racing industry will join me in wishing him a speedy recovery.
“Pearse is a highly valued member of the Racing Victoria Board and we look forward to welcoming him back to duties as soon as his health permits.”
A number of businesses in the main shopping precinct became part of the crime scene.
Local Jimmy Hill said residents were shocked.
“There’s just disbelief,” Mr Hill said.
“Originally a lot of people were speculating it was a robbery.”
Schools in the area were locked down for a brief time as police descended on multiple crime scenes.
There was police activity around Kirk and Haigh streets, a busy shopping precinct in the town.
Albert Street Primary School principal Monique Osborn said staff locked gates and doors at the school, and students were kept inside for a brief time, but there was no immediate threat to safety on the campus.
“Staff and kids have handled it very professionally,” Dr Osborn said.
“Our philosophy is that we have a very calm and caring school ... there was no anxiety at all under these circumstances.”
- with Matthew Stewart
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