Victoria

As it happened: Four dead as city reels after car mows down pedestrians

CBD horror: 'Where's the baby?''

Former Victoria Police commissioner Christine Nixon tells ABC Radio Melbourne how she aided a mother whose child appeared to get thrown out of a pram on Friday afternoon.

What we know so far

A man identified as Dimitrious 'Jimmy' Gargasoulas allegedly drove a car through a crowd of pedestrians on Bourke Street, killing four people and injuring at least 30 others.

Among the four people killed were a 10-year-old girl, a 25-year-old man, a 33-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman. There are fears the death toll will rise.

A three-month-old baby girl who was rushed to hospital by police officers is among seven people with life-threatening injuries.

Three people are in a critical condition at the Royal Melbourne Hospital and three are in a critical condition at The Alfred.

A 32-year-old Indian woman who had been living in Australia with her husband and child is among those fighting for her life.

The mother, who works as an integration developer, is now in a critical condition at The Alfred with fractures to her neck and abdomen. The injuries are near her spinal cord.

Mr Gargasoulas, 26, is in hospital after being shot in the arm by police. He is expected to be charged on Saturday.

Mr Gargasoulas is accused of stabbing his brother, Angelo, in his mother's public housing flat in Windsor on Friday morning. Police said he has a history of family violence, as well as mental health and drug problems.

On Wednesday night, Mr Gargasoulas allegedly attacked 76-year-old Gavin Wilson, who lives at his mother's housing commission flats, and demanded the keys to his car.

Mr Gargasoulas tried to trash a St Kilda Bar after being denied entry to the venue the night before he allegedly went on the rampage.

The 26-year-old, who is a father to a number of children, had been posting angry comments on social media this week about God, war and police.

The Coroner has launched a forensic investigation into the incident as Victoria's controversial bail laws could be set for a shake-up.

Police said the incident was not terror-related.

 

'He was always smiling': the critically injured brother of the alleged Bourke Street attacker

Angelo Gargasoulas
Angelo Gargasoulas Photo: Facebook

He is always smiling, loves fashion and is adored by his friends.

But Angelo Gargasoulas had a fractured relationship with his brother Dimitrious or "Jimmy" – the 26-year-old who allegedly mowed down dozens of people in the CBD and killed at least four people 

Earlier in the day in a Windsor public housing unit on Raleigh Street, Jimmy allegedly set upon his brother with a knife. The young man, who is in his 20s, was allegedly stabbed in the chest and head. He is now fighting for his life. 

Angelo's friends said he had a tortured relationship with his brother, who hated the fact that he was gay.

Giuseppe, who became friends with Angelo in 2013 and did not want his surname to be published, said Jimmy refused to accept his brother's sexuality.

"Jimmy never accepted gay people, he was very homophobic person," he said.

Indian woman, 32, fighting for her life

A 32-year-old Indian woman who had been living in Australia with her husband and child was among those mowed down by the truck. 

The mother, who works as an integration developer, is now in a critical condition at The Alfred with fractures to her neck and abdomen. The injuries are near her spinal cord. 

She had been going on a walk through the CBD during her lunch break on Friday when she was hit by the maroon sedan driven, a relative said. 
Her family live in Mumbai, and have desperately been trying to get information about her condition.
 

On Sunday, the Andrews Government will announce a new fund for people who wish to donate to the families of those killed in the Bourke Street tragedy. The state will contribute $100,000.

Girlfriend of Gargasoulas speaks of her shock

The girlfriend of the accused Bourke Street killer said she was still in shock that Dimitrious "Jimmy" Gargasoulas had allegedly run down people, killing four and injuring more than 20 others.

"I still I can't believe that it did happen because it's not supposed to happen," she said. "He didn't even have the right to.

"I'm still in shock: did that really just happen? At the moment I'm kind of lost and confused."

 

 

Akiir Muo outside Dimitrious "Jimmy" Gargasoulas home in Windsor.
Akiir Muo outside Dimitrious "Jimmy" Gargasoulas home in Windsor.  Photo: Eddie Jim
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Serena Williams pays tribute to victims

Serena Williams on Saturday.
Serena Williams on Saturday.  Photo: Andy Brownbill

Serena Williams has paid tribute to the victims of yesterday's Bourke Street Mall tragedy.

The six-time Australian Open champion said she was shocked to hear about the deaths of four people on Friday after a man speeding car charged through pedestrians in the middle of Melbourne's CBD.

"It's very shocking and extremely saddening and disheartening," Williams said at her post-match press conference.

"[There are] just so many sad things are happening around the world, and even to hit so close to home where I know literally it's down the street from the tournament, close to where a lot of players are staying. 

"You know, it's just an unfortunate event that you just have to really pray for everyone involved in that sad situation."

GALLERY: Melbourne mourns Bourke St victims

'We needed towels': the Melburnians who helped strangers during the Bourke Street attack

It quickly became apparent that a first aid kit was not going to cut it.

Andrew Blain raced down from his level eight office on Bourke Street with a box of emergency supplies after seeing carnage on the footpath and road. There were five people on the ground. There was blood. Lots of it.

Mr Blain crouched next to an Asian man, in his 20s, who was bleeding profusely from his head and lay at the intersection of Bourke and Queen streets. "Keep on breathing," he said. 

The father-of-two handed out latex gloves to passers-by who had stopped to help the wounded. The rest of the first aid kit was useless, he said. "There were some pretty gruesome injuries, gauze and bandages weren't going to do much," he said. "We needed towels."

Four people were killed after a car ran down pedestrians in Bourke Street.
Four people were killed after a car ran down pedestrians in Bourke Street. Photo: Justin McManus

Coroner launches forensic investigation

The Coroner has launched a forensic investigation into the incident as more details emerge about the criminal history of the alleged killer, Dimitrious "Jimmy" Gargasoulas, 26.

Known to authorities due to his history of family violence and other offences, Mr Gargasoulas had been charged over family violence related offences on January 14 and appeared before an after-hours bail justice, who allowed him to walk free – despite police opposing his release.

He was due to appear in court on Friday but instead absconded, and later used his Holden Commodore to charge through the city, eventually killing four people.

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Bail laws tipped for shake-up

Victoria's controversial bail laws could be set for a shake-up in the wake of Friday's Bourke Street attack.

With the death toll expected to rise, it is understood Premier Daniel Andrews has convened a special cabinet sub-committee meeting on Sunday to discuss the tragedy.

The meeting is expected to discuss why the driver was  freed on bail, against the wishes of police, the week before he embarked on his rampage.

"Victorians are angry today – and I'm angry too," said Mr Andrews. "We want answers, and all of us can be confident that our government will honour the memory of those who died here with whatever change, with whatever resources, with whatever reform is required."

There are three smaller memorials at each of the tribute sites where it's believed the first three victims died.

A woman outside a news agency.

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A man in the middle of Queens Street.

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A 10-year-old-girl outside the RACV club. "Vic 3" is inscribed in chalk and silver glitter covers her memorial.

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'I was so frightened': Girlfriend of accused comes forward

Akiir Muo
Akiir Muo  Photo: Facebook

A woman claiming to be the girlfriend of accused CBD car rampage driver Dimitrious "Jimmy" Gargasoulas has come forward. 

When asked by The Age if she was in a relationship with Mr Gargasoulas, Akiir Muo said it was "complicated" and that the events of Friday leading up to the carnage were scary.

Police said a woman was taken hostage by Mr Gargasoulas on Friday before managing to escape on the Bolte Bridge during the wild chase.

"He was driving really erratically... he kept saying it was the end of the world and how he planned to run over people in the city because the police were following us," she told the Herald Sun. "I was so frightened. I kept saying, 'it doesn't have to be like this just pull over and co-operate with police'". 
 

Victorian State Coroner to investigate Melbourne CBD Tragedy

A statement from the State Coroner, Judge Sara Hinchey:

"The Victorian State Coroner, Judge Sara Hinchey will immediately begin a coronial investigation into the tragedy that occurred in Melbourne's CBD yesterday.

Judge Hinchey was notified of the tragic deaths around 2pm yesterday afternoon and shortly afterward attended the scene in Bourke Street, accompanied by members of the Homicide Squad and Professional Standards Command.

According to her Honour, the Coronial investigation will be a complex one, necessitating an examination of matters including the circumstances in which Mr Gargasoulas came recently to be released on bail, his conduct in the lead up to the incident, previous police involvement with Mr Gargasoulas and the conduct of the police pursuit just prior to the deaths.

"This tragic incident is extremely complex and will require detailed scrutiny," she said.

Her Honour has powers under the Coroners Act 2008 to make recommendations to address any systemic issues which may be identified in the course of the investigation.

Judge Hinchey acknowledged the assistance of Victoria Police and the Victorian Government in facilitating her inquiry, which will be conducted in parallel with the criminal investigation into the offender's actions.

As the investigation is ongoing, no further comment can be made at this time."

What we know about the victims

Victoria Police have confirmed the age and gender of the victims killed in yesterday's blood rampage. They include a 10-year-old girl, a 25-year-old man, a 33-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman.

Police say the 10-year-old girl died when a speeding car ploughed through pedestrians. The Australian Jewish News is reporting that the girl was from Beth Rivkah College in St Kilda East.

There are seven victims who remain in a critical condition in hospital, including a three-month-old baby girl who is fighting for her life at the Royal Childrens Hospital. There is also a toddler in serious condition at the hospital.

There are three people in critical condition at each the Royal Melbourne Hospital and Alfred hospital.

 

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'Swagger and arrogance': Accused refused entry to Dogs Bar night before rampage

The man accused of killing four people and injuring 30 others in the CBD in a stolen car tried to trash a St Kilda Bar after being denied entry to the venue the night before he allegedly went on the rampage.

Dimitrious 'Jimmy' Gargasoulas was refused entry to the Dogs Bar on Acland Street around 10pm on Thursday evening after his behaviour raised warning flags with management.

The 26-year-old reportedly turned up to the popular St Kilda venue dressed entirely in white, wearing white trousers and a white T-shirt.

"He had this real swagger and arrogance," owner Gavan Breen said. "He looked like he was on something so we didn't let him in. He was not pleased." 

A group of people just arrived to pray in front of the Bourke Street mall memorial. "We are from the Sikh community we heard what happened and we thought we'd come down to pay our tributes and do our prayers... it really hits you here," Janam Kaur said, pointing to her heart.

 

Red Cross workers are wandering up and down Bourke Street and stationing themselves at each of the growing memorial sites. One Red Cross worker said they were there "just in case someone needed a shoulder, or to talk, we think it's worth being here "

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