Melbourne in Lockdown: Manhunt Underway for ‘Afro-Haired’ Attack Suspect Who Stabbed Cousin and Sister in Separate Incidents
- A man in his 20s is on the run after allegedly stabbing his cousin in a Melbourne sharehouse and then attacking his sister in a separate incident
- Both victims sustained multiple upper body injuries, with police believing both events were targeted
- The suspect is described as African in appearance with “afro-type” hair and was last seen wearing a dark-coloured track suit
- Police have warned the public not to approach the man, but to call triple-0 if they sight him
The streets of Melbourne were thrown into chaos on Sunday morning as a manhunt was launched for a suspect who allegedly stabbed his cousin and sister in two separate incidents.
The violence unfolded across the city, leaving two people injured and a trail of fear in its wake.
According to police, the drama began at a sharehouse on Bradman Trc in Epping, where the suspect, aged in his 20s, allegedly forced his way in and stabbed a 40-year-old man, believed to be his cousin, around 7:30 am.
The victim was rushed to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
But the suspect’s alleged rampage didn’t end there.
He then made his way to a home in Dandenong North, where he crashed his stolen silver Honda CRV into the house around 10:15 am.
The man then allegedly entered the house and stabbed a 34-year-old woman, believed to be his sister, multiple times. She was taken to hospital in a serious condition.
Both victims sustained multiple upper body injuries, with police believing both events were targeted. “We’re not taking any risks…
we don’t know if he still has a weapon on him,” Inspector Graham Higginbotham warned.
The police response was swift and intense, with helicopters and dog squads joining the search for the suspect. Multiple police patrols were also deployed to scour local areas for any sign of the man.
As the manhunt continues, police have urged anyone with CCTV footage or information about the suspect’s location to come forward. Members of the public have also been advised not to approach the man, but to call triple-0 if they sight him.
But for those living in the affected areas, the fear is palpable. “I feel really scared,” one local resident told 7NEWS.
Another woman described seeing the alleged offender calmly walking down the street after the attack. “(He) was so blase…
He just walked down the street and then he just disappeared.”
Analysis: What This Means for Australia
The latest incident raises serious concerns about community safety and the effectiveness of law enforcement in preventing targeted attacks.
While police have assured the public that there is no risk to the larger community, the fact that the suspect was able to allegedly carry out two violent attacks in separate locations within hours of each other is a worrying sign.
Security analysts say that the incident highlights the need for increased vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the public.
“This is a classic case of a targeted attack, and it’s crucial that we learn from it to prevent similar incidents in the future,” said one expert.
Law enforcement insiders warn that the incident may also be a wake-up call for authorities to review their strategies for dealing with domestic violence and family disputes.
“We need to take a closer look at how we’re addressing these issues and make sure that we’re providing adequate support to those who need it,” said another expert.
As the investigation continues, one thing is clear: the people of Melbourne will be on high alert until the suspect is caught and brought to justice.