‘Targeted’ fatal stabbing outside servo sparks manhunt
Allanah Sciberras and Callum Godde |
A man has died outside a service station in a suspected targeted stabbing, sparking a manhunt and political slanging match.
Local police witnessed the man collapse on the side of the road outside the BP service station in Dandenong, in Melbourne’s southeast, around 4.50am on Tuesday.
The 39-year-old, who is yet to be identified, was treated by paramedics but died at the scene.
Homicide Squad Detective Inspector Dean Thomas said the victim suffered stab wounds, although didn’t provide additional information on the injuries.
He said it appeared the stabbing might have occurred at a nearby residence on Potter Street before the victim fled on foot.
Those behind the attack are believed to have fled down Hemmings Street.
“We’re still trying to get to the bottom of it and work out exactly what has happened,” Det Insp Thomas told reporters.
Sections of the service station have been cordoned off with police tape and an SES tent has been set up on the nature strip, where the man’s body remains.
BP said it was co-operating with authorities and would continue to support their inquiries.
The incident comes months after a woman fought off a group of teenagers during an attempted carjacking at the same service station in May.
The victim’s next of kin had not been spoken to police as of midday on Tuesday.
“We still have quite a bit of work to do in that regard,” Det Insp Thomas said.
Opposition Leader Brad Battin was on his way to work when he heard about the Dandenong death on the radio.
The Berwick MP detoured to the crime scene where he spoke to assembled media near where the man’s body was laid on the ground.
“I went specifically to say the fact that this is out of control,” the former police officer later told reporters at parliament.
The state government has come under fresh law and order-related pressure after a father was allegedly stabbed 11 times in a home invasion in Kew East on Sunday morning.
His wife was forced into a separate room with couple’s sleeping children, before intruders allegedly made off with a stolen BMW.
Three of the five alleged intruders have been charged, with two still on the run.
Victorian Minister Colin Brooks said the government acknowledged the impacts of knife crime were unacceptable.
“We’re just as concerned about it as every other Victorian,” he said.
“We’ve taken tough action in terms of bail laws, machete bans … police have indicated that area is a priority so we’re giving them the resources they need to tackle that.”
But he slammed Mr Battin’s behaviour as “appalling” and called for him to apologise to the slain victim’s family.
“We’re entitled to make political arguments and so is the leader of the opposition … but that’s a real error of judgment,” Mr Brooks said.
Mr Battin denied trying to get political “mileage” out of the murder and said he had no regrets.
Det Insp Thomas would not be drawn on whether it was appropriate for politicians to attend active crime scenes to make statements.
“He is entitled to say … whatever he would like to say,” he said.
AAP
