Australian police shot a knife-wielding man who is believed to have stabbed three people in Melbourne’s city-center Friday, killing one of them.

Police responded to the scene on Bourke Street after receiving reports of a car on fire, Victoria Police Superintendent David Clayton told reporters shortly after the incident.

The officers were immediately confronted by a man brandishing a knife and threatening them. The suspect was shot in the chest by police, Clayton said. He has since been transported to the hospital under police guard and is in a critical condition.

No other suspects are being sought. Clayton said there is no known link to terrorism, but stressed the investigation is still in its early stages.

Hundreds of police and emergency responders rushed to the scene as reports emerged of multiple stabbings, CNN affiliate Nine News reported.

Streets were closed, trams halted and nearby buildings evacuated as officers attempted to keep people away from the area, which was crowded with shoppers and commuters late on Friday afternoon local time.

Police have asked members of the public to send images and video of the incident in order to help with their investigation.

A handful of videos and images uploaded to social media appear to show the man attempting to stab police before he is shot.

Victoria State Premier Daniel Andrews thanked police and “the every day Victorians who came to the aid of complete strangers.”

The incident took place in Melbourne’s Central Business District on Friday afternoon when people would have been leaving work.

“It’s the center of Melbourne, where a lot of the transportation changes over … it’s probably the busiest part of Melbourne and late on a Friday,” said Meegan May who witnessed part incident from a nearby tram.

“It’s basically a commuter hub and a central shopping district as well.”

May said she was taking the tram into the city center when she heard someone shout “he has a knife.” She then turned around to see a vehicle on fire.

Other witnesses said they heard a big bang and images appeared to show a car on fire.

“There was a massive flame and bang, just smoke and lots of people,” witness Shelley Reid told Nine News.

Melbourne also would have likely had more tourists in town because of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, one of the city’s most popular social events that draws visitors from around the country. Though the main race was Tuesday, there are events scheduled until Saturday.

The Friday incident took place blocks away from Flinders Street Railway Station, where a driver plowed into pedestrians last year, injuring 18.

Share This Post