A man who walked through the Bourke Street Mall with a semi-automatic handgun in the wake of the January killings there has been charged with more than 130 offences, as police continue to investigate the security companies that employed him as an armed guard.
Aaron Purvis was dressed in black tactical clothing and carrying a Glock handgun in the Mall on January 25 – five days after Dimitrious Gargasoulas allegedly ploughed a car into dozens of people in Melbourne's CBD, killing six and leaving 31 in hospital.
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Bourke St attack inquiry adjourned
A coronial inquest into Melbourne's Bourke St Mall tragedy is adjourned until criminal proceedings are over. Vision courtesy Seven News Melbourne.
Police started an investigation into Mr Purvis after Fairfax Media photographed him in the Mall, including at a makeshift shrine to the victims.
He was seen with a Glock semi-automatic 9mm handgun and a spare magazine, and dressed in a black tactical vest, a black shirt, and dark cargo pants.
Mr Purvis has been charged with 67 counts of possessing a handgun without a licence, 67 counts of acting as a security guard without a licence, and a charge each of using a false document and attempting to use a false document.
The 27-year-old from Berwick was charged on summons and is to face Melbourne Magistrates Court on November 8.
It is unclear how long he is alleged to have been operating while unlicensed, but it is understood charges are likely against the companies that had employed him.
The companies' licences have been suspended as the investigation continues.
Fairfax Media has seen photos of Mr Purvis working as an armed guard while a Melbourne Central automatic teller machine was being serviced last December.
Mr Purvis, an ex-VFL player, is a journeyman suburban footballer. He also worked as a guard for armoured vehicles in 2012.
The firearm-related charges each attract a maximum penalty of four years' jail or a $38,000 fine, and the security-related offences a $19,000 fine.