Bourke St terror attack: What we know so far

Staff writers Herald Sun

Police officers who came face-to-face with terrorist Hassan Shire Ali have been praised by top brass, as it was revealed the officer who fired his weapon had only graduated from the academy three months ago.

Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton rejected criticism the officers should have shot the man sooner, saying the officers all acted in line with their training.

ROLLING COVERAGE: TERROR IN BOURKE ST

“These members found themselves in a dangerous situation very quickly,” Mr Ashton said.

“I think they acted very bravely. They endeavoured to do their job, and I think they did that pretty effectively and bravely.

“They followed their training really, really well, from what I could see.

“I’m proud of their efforts.”

Earlier today police descended on a house linked to the man behind yesterday’s horror attack.

Officers swarmed the Werribee property — believed to be the home of Mohamed Khalif’s father — at about 8am.

The identity of the man who died in the attack has been revealed as the co-owner of Pellegrini’s espresso coffee bar.

WHAT WE KNOW

• At 4.30pm explosions were heard and a fire erupted from a ute in Bourke St, Melbourne, between Swanston and Russell streets

• Police nearby were called to the scene

• Witnesses told police people had been stabbed

• A man wearing black robes wielding what appeared to be a knife was seen swinging at two Victoria Police officers

• One of the officers pulled out a weapon and shot at the man, who fell to the ground

• The man was arrested at the scene and is in hospital under police guard in a critical condition

• Three people suffered stab wounds

• One of those stabbed died at the scene. A body could be seen under a white sheet

• Two victims are in hospital. One is in a critical condition, the other has minor injuries

• Police say they are not looking for anyone else

• The man shot by police died in hospital and has been named as Hassan Khalif Shire Ali

•The victim of the attack is Pellegrini’s espresso coffee bar co-owner Sisto Malaspina

• Bourke St reopened to the public early this morning

• Anyone who saw what happened is being urged to attend Melbourne West police station on Spencer St to give a statement

• Videos and photos can be uploaded to Victoria Police Facebook page

• Terror sirens were activated in the city declaring the incident over and urging witnesses to contact police

PAST PLOTS, ATTACKS

BRIGHTON SIEGE, 2017

Police shot dead Yacqub Khayre, 29, during a siege and gunfight with cops.

He killed a man and took a woman hostage. He had recently been released on parole.

CHRISTMAS TERROR PLOT, 2016

Police foil an attack they alleged in court was imminent on either New Year’s Day, New Year’s Eve or Christmas Day. Federation Square, Flinders Street and St Paul’s Cathedral were alleged targets.

ANZAC DAY, 2015

Police foil a plot by Sevdet Besim to run down and behead a policeman on Anzac Day. Besim was later jailed for 14 years.

PARAMATTA POLICE SHOOTING, 2015

Farhad Khalil Mohammad Jabar, 15, shoots dead finance worker Curtis Cheng outside police headquarters in Parramatta, NSW. He is shot dead by police.

ENDEAVOUR HILLS STABBING, 2014

Numan Haider, 18, has an Islamic flag with him as he is shot dead after stabbing two counter-terrorism officers. Haider’s behaviour had alarmed police and his passport was cancelled a week before the attack.

LINDT CAFE SIEGE, 2014.

Gunman Man Haron Monis holds 18 people hostage in a cafe in Sydney’s Martin Place. After a 16-hour standoff, during which some hostages escape, he shoots and kills hostage Tori Johnson. Police storm the cafe, and Monis and hostage Katrina Dawson are killed.

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