Gunman shoots 3 in Melbourne

[ZeoBandit]

Gunman shoots 3 in Melbourne
POSTED: 11:59 p.m. EDT, June 17, 2007

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) -- A gunman opened fire on a downtown street during the morning rush hour Monday in Australia's second largest city, killing one man and critically wounding two other people while scattering terrified commuters, police said.

The suspect fled, and police launched a manhunt in the southern city of Melbourne, closing several streets and advising people to stay indoors as tactical officers armed with shotguns fanned out and helicopters joined the search overhead.

Police said the shooting did not appear to be a random act, and that it was believed a woman who was one of the victims knew the gunman.

The other two victims -- including the one who died -- were male bystanders who came to the aid of the woman during an altercation with a man who pulled out a gun, witnesses said.

"A girl came out of a building over the road, she was screaming and a guy had her by the hair," Ross Murchie told Australian Broadcasting Corp.

"She tried to grab hold of a taxi that was going by and the couple of bystanders went over to ask what was happening," Murchie said. "He let go of her hair, pulled out a gun and shot them all."

Inspector Steve Martin said the woman and one of the men who went to assist were rushed to hospital in critical condition with gunshot wounds to their chests. The third victim died at the scene, he said.

The shooting occurred on the corner of Flinders Lane and William Streets in central Melbourne around 8 a.m. Monday (2200 Sunday), sending hundreds of frightened commuters fleeing. A short time later, police said they had recovered a handgun and a jacket believed to have been worn by the attacker, who remained at large.

Prime Minister John Howard declined to comment directly on the shooting because he was not aware of the details, but said he was willing to open discussions on further tightening gun control laws with state leaders, who have responsibility for policing them.

Justice Minister David Johnston said Australian firearms laws already were very tight and that it was likely the gun used in Monday's shooting was obtained illegally.

"It is very, very, difficult for a law-abiding citizen to obtain a handgun," Johnston said, adding: "If someone wants to purchase a concealable weapon on the black market they will probably be successful."

Police said the gunman and the female victim may have been involved in a fight at a nightclub about 10 minutes before the shooting.

"It does appear that there was a relationship between the female and the male suspect," said Inspector Glenn Weir said. "Certainly we're not looking that it's a random act, certainly not gang-related. It appears as though it's a domestic-related incident."

[jimmy812]

Oh Christ, these people need to just stay home and shoot themselves!!

[VAREB]

I thought they had good gun control laws in Australia Turns out only law abiding citizens are unarmed. Hmmmm...

[BOMBER]

I thought they had good gun control laws in Australia Turns out only law abiding citizens are unarmed. Hmmmm...

Our gun laws are pretty tight down here but that doesn't mean if you really wanted to get a gun then you wouldn't be able.
The guy that did this is a member of the Hells Angels and has been in major trouble before - I think he has been shot twice before.
So the circle of people he hangs around obviously don't have much regard for gun laws or any laws for that matter.

It's fucking terrible that the person who was trying to help became the victim.

[VAREB]

Our gun laws are pretty tight down here but that doesn't mean if you really wanted to get a gun then you wouldn't be able.
The guy that did this is a member of the Hells Angels and has been in major trouble before - I think he has been shot twice before.
So the circle of people he hangs around obviously don't have much regard for gun laws or any laws for that matter.

It's fucking terrible that the person who was trying to help became the victim.

That's my point. The only people who give up their guns are the folks who were no threat to begin with.

[smithjc]

Oh Christ, these people need to just stay home and shoot themselves!!

Not to be cruel, but I tend to agree with that. ^ If they gotta use the damn gun, use it on themselves, not on innocent victims.

How terrible to try and help somebody out, only to get shot while doing so. You just never know I guess. Best not to get involved?

Doesn't seem to be a right or wrong answer to this one but very tragic for those and their families.

[Goo]

I thought they had good gun control laws in Australia Turns out only law abiding citizens are unarmed. Hmmmm...

It's also worth noting that since the tightening up of gun laws, the incident of gun crimes have gone down here.

That is to say it's gone from low.. to a bit lower. Approximately half the rate of Gun homicide than the US, on a per capita basis.

Personally I think it's mainly a culture difference though, and the gun laws are only a small part of that difference.

[Bullwinkle]

Handguns were made for killing,
They ain't no good for nothing else,
And if you like to drink your whiskey,
You might even shoot yourself,
So why don't we dump 'em, people,
To the bottom of the sea,
Before some old fool comes 'round here,
Trying to shoot either you or me.




Everything I need to know, I learned from Lynyrd Skynyrd.



...and that other band, of course.

[VAREB]

Handguns were made for killing,
They ain't no good for nothing else,
And if you like to drink your whiskey,
You might even shoot yourself,
So why don't we dump 'em, people,
To the bottom of the sea,
Before some old fool comes 'round here,
Trying to shoot either you or me.




Everything I need to know, I learned from Lynyrd Skynyrd.



...and that other band, of course.

Classic

[Goo]

Dude turned himself in yesterday, so that's good.

[willy4pres]

It's also worth noting that since the tightening up of gun laws, the incident of gun crimes have gone down here.

That is to say it's gone from low.. to a bit lower. Approximately half the rate of Gun homicide than the US, on a per capita basis.

Personally I think it's mainly a culture difference though, and the gun laws are only a small part of that difference.

Just because we have two guards shooting at each other while on duty that doesn't mean this country has an unhealthy interest in firearms.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/06/20/wal....ap/index.html