A man dressed in commando gear and carrying a semi-automatic gun was able to stroll unchecked through Bourke Street Mall in the days following the massacre that killed six people.
The troubling security breach – which occurred when Victorians were told authorities were on high alert to ensure the safety of Melbourne's CBD – is now subject to a full police investigation.
More Victoria News Videos
- Video duration
- 02:19
Ambulance Victoria thanks the public ...
Ambulance Victoria thanks the public after Bourke Street
In the wake of the Bourke Street tragedy, Ambulance Victoria has released a touching video thanking the "warm-hearted individuals and a compassionate community" in Melbourne.
Up Next
Why are class actions important?
- Video duration
- 01:52
- Video duration
- 01:52
Why are class actions important?
Why are class actions important?
At the Celebrating 25 Years of Class Actions in Australia symposium, sponsored by BusinessDay, Maurice Blackburn head of class action Andrew Watson says the $3.5 billion paid by defendants in class action settlements, understates the significance of the regime.
Up Next
Melbourne to get 'bigger' trains
- Video duration
- 00:53
- Video duration
- 00:53
Melbourne to get 'bigger' trains
Melbourne to get 'bigger' trains
Animation recreation of the proposed high-capacity metro trains and upgrades to lines and stations. (Vision: supplied)
Up Next
CCTV: tram driver attacked
- Video duration
- 00:37
- Video duration
- 00:37
CCTV: tram driver attacked
CCTV: tram driver attacked
A man allegedly shattered the glass window of a tram, which caused minor injuries to the driver in North Coburg.
Up Next
CCTV: Man knocked unconscious on Sydney Rd
- Video duration
- 00:36
- Video duration
- 00:36
CCTV: Man knocked unconscious on Sydney Rd
CCTV: Man knocked unconscious on Sydney Rd
A 42-year-old man was elbowed and knocked unconscious about 1am on March 6 after approaching two men in Brunswick.
Up Next
Unsolved murder case reopened
- Video duration
- 00:52
- Video duration
- 00:52
Unsolved murder case reopened
Unsolved murder case reopened
Million Dollar Cold Case, a collaboration between Channel Seven and police, open the case of Renita Brunton, who was stabbed more than 100 times in 1993.
Up Next
Timelapse: storms roll in over Melbourne
- Video duration
- 01:05
- Video duration
- 01:05
Timelapse: storms roll in over Melbourne
Timelapse: storms roll in over Melbourne
The impressive Tuesday storms as they moved in across the city, as seen from The Age office.
Up Next
CCTV: baby taken in Coburg carjacking
- Video duration
- 01:55
- Video duration
- 01:55
CCTV: baby taken in Coburg carjacking
CCTV: baby taken in Coburg carjacking
Gurkan Yildirim, 25, stole a car in Coburg North on November 8, 2016, while its owner â the baby's mother â was standing nearby talking to a friend.
Ambulance Victoria thanks the public after Bourke Street
In the wake of the Bourke Street tragedy, Ambulance Victoria has released a touching video thanking the "warm-hearted individuals and a compassionate community" in Melbourne.
Police were only alerted to the man's presence after Fairfax sent them an image of the armed man.
They refused to explain why he was not approached earlier or why he has not since been charged.
On January 20, a car allegedly driven by Dimitrious Gargasoulas ploughed into dozens of people in Melbourne's CBD, killing six and leaving 31 in hospital.
Five days later, a man armed with what appeared to be a Glock semi-automatic 9mm handgun, and dressed in a black tactical vest, a black shirt, and dark cargo pants, was seen walking through Bourke Street mall.
It appeared as if the man also carried a spare magazine for the handgun in a pouch on his belt.
The man wandered through crowds of people, many of whom were laying flowers as a tribute to the victims of the tragedy.
While the man did not have any identification displayed, and was not wearing a uniform, he appeared to be working as a private security guard.
Fairfax sent police images of the man on the afternoon of January 25. It is understood officers from Melbourne East police, based in Flinders Lane, spoke to him him later that day.
It was found the man did not have a firearms licence and was not a registered security guard, though he was working for a security company.
Early Wednesday morning, a Victoria Police spokeswoman said the man was expected to be charged on summons.
"Police have interviewed a man as part of an investigation into the performing of security work while unlicensed. He is expected to be charged on summons with non-prohibited person possess firearm," she said.
Earlier, a police spokesman told Fairfax Media that the company's private security business licence and corporate firearm licence had been suspended by the licensing and regulation division while the investigation continued.
A spokesman refused to name the company or give any details about why the man was armed in Bourke Street that day.
It is unclear whether the company had been contracted to provide services in the CBD on January 25, or whether the man was there in another capacity.
"Private security businesses providing services are responsible for ensuring that any individuals they employ are the holders of appropriately endorsed and valid licences," a police spokesman said.
"Businesses who fail to do so could face charges.
"As investigations are ongoing we are unable to provide any further comment."
Under Victorian regulations, the man would have had to hold a private security licence and a firearms licence to be able to carry the weapon. His employer would have faced even stricter requirements.
Security and firearm licensing is subject to strict background checks and cooling-off periods, and costs the applicant hundreds of dollars.
Peter Johnson, the Australian Security Industry Association's compliance and regulatory affairs advisor, said having armed guards working while unregistered was exceptionally rare.
"It just doesn't happen," he said.
"Could mistakes happen, yes they could, but [with] the checks and balances put in place by Victoria Police, a person should not be able to do that type of work."
4 comments
New User? Sign up