Tragic Incident Unfolds in South Melbourne: Police Officer Shot, Woman Dies in Collision

Tragic Incident Unfolds in South Melbourne: Police Officer Shot, Woman Dies in Collision

A late Saturday night in South Melbourne turned chaotic when a police officer shot at a vehicle that allegedly rammed into him during an arrest, leading to a tragic outcome. The officer, who sustained serious leg injuries, has been released from the hospital. Meanwhile, a man arrested in relation to the incident has been charged with weapons offenses.

The events transpired near the intersection of Park and Dow streets, beginning around 5 PM, when police received reports of a man armed with a machete on Cecil Street. As police proceeded to arrest a 39-year-old local man on Dow Street, a dark-colored SUV was driven towards them, striking a senior constable and pinning him against a wall.

In response to the imminent threat, the officer discharged his firearm four times, hitting both the driver and a passenger in the vehicle. The driver, identified as a 34-year-old woman of no fixed address, succumbed to her injuries at the scene. The passenger, a 26-year-old man from St Kilda, was transported to the hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.

The injured police officer received treatment for his leg injuries and was released later that night. Additionally, the 39-year-old man arrested in relation to the incident is facing charges for possessing a prohibited weapon and bicycle theft. He has been granted bail and is scheduled to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on August 12.

Local residents expressed shock and fear as they recounted the sequence of events. Many reported hearing gunshots and described the scene as frantic.

• Alan Nightingale, a long-time resident, noted that the street had recently experienced a decline in safety, stating, “We feel a bit less secure than we did two to three years ago.”
• Another resident, Karlos, mentioned that he had previously seen the 39-year-old man and the deceased woman in the area, noting that the community was in a state of shock due to the incident.
• Concerns over rising violence in the area were echoed by police representatives, who stated that the violence faced by officers is increasingly common and dangerous.

Wayne Gatt, secretary of the Police Association, remarked on the seriousness of the situation, emphasizing that these incidents are becoming more frequent and dangerous for law enforcement. “When a car is coming at you, there’s not a lot you can do,” he stated. “It’s literally a case of do or die.”

Investigations into the incident are ongoing, with the Professional Standards Command overseeing the process, which is standard protocol following a police shooting.