Melbourne: A possible terror incident on Monday left two men dead and three Australian police officers and a woman hostage injured in an apartment building here.
Police stormed the building and shot the gunman dead after discovering the body of another man in the foyer in the serviced apartment in Brighton, 11 km south-east of Melbourne’s central business district.
The Seven Network reported that the gunman called the organisation saying “This is for I.S [Islamic State]. This is for al-Qaida.”
Victoria police said it was investigating whether the incident was “terrorism related”.
According to reports, the police operation was launched at the Bay Street apartment in Brighton following reports of an explosion at 4 PM (Local time).
A woman was held hostage by a suspect who was later shot dead by police in a volley of gunfire in the apartment block.
“A man has been shot dead by police in the Bay Street apartment complex shortly before 6:00 PM (local time). Police have safely rescued a woman who was being held against her will in the apartment block,” police said.
Dozens of gunshots rang out just after 6 PM in Bay Street with crowds of people fleeing and taking refuge in a nearby supermarket.
The ‘Age’ website reported that the gunman reportedly called the Channel Seven newsroom during the standoff, telling them “This is for IS (Islamic State).”
Three police officers were injured with two taken to hospital and another treated at the scene, police said.
Andrew Crisp, Victoria’s deputy police commissioner, said police had not yet identified either of the dead men. The woman was injured, but her injuries are believed to be non- critical.
The siege has now ended but a major police presence, including specialist tactical officers, remains at the scene.
The motive behind the incident is yet not clear, reports said.
PTI