Victoria police released a statement last night informing the public that a fifth person had died as a result of the Bourke Street attack. The fifth fatality has been named as a three month old baby who died in hospital last night. A 10 year old girl, a 25 year old man, a 33 year old man and a 32 year old woman have also died.
It is believed that police were in pursuit of a vehicle in the CBD when the vehicle deliberately struck a number of pedestrians in the vicinity of Bourke Street and Queens Street at approximately 1.30pm.
Police shot the man in the arm and he was taken to hospital where he remains under police guard. Hospitals have treated 37 other people injured during the incident, out of which, 4 remain in a critical condition. Police had yesterday warned public about more fatalities.
Following this incident, police have hit back at the non-pursuit policy saying it leaves them hamstrung and that it needs a complete overhaul. A veteran police officer told ABC,
"The no-pursuit policy is a disgrace, it’s cowardly”
“ There was ample opportunity to stop him in the two hours before he reached the city, but the order was not to pursue”
Vicotria police called off an intial pursuit of 26 year old suspect Dimitrious Gargasoulas after police alleged he stabbed his brother in Windsor and took his girlfriend hostage, hours before he reached the city. He was filmed doing burnouts outside Flinders Street Station at 1.30pm.
In 2015, Victorian police officers became subject to new restrictions on conducting pursuits following 13 deaths in five years, but they have since been amended after the changes sparked outrage from Police Association and its members.
Despite the changes, the policy remains unpopular.
"If it was my family that had been impacted I would be very, very angry," the veteran officer said.
"Victoria Police has known that this was always a potential problem with the pursuit policy. This was always going to be an outcome of the pursuit policy.
"As an organisation we have let Victorians down."
Earlier on Saturday, Victoria's chief of police defended his officers' handling of the car pursuit, saying he was "rock solid" behind the decisions police made while trying to apprehend the driver.
The bail laws of the state have also come under question after this incident. The offender was bailed a week before after being charged by police with assault. It is also said that police had opposed the bail.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said a review of the state’s bail laws would form part of the investigation of the events. He said Victorians were entitled to feel angry and changes would be made “if necessary” to honour those who were killed.
Meanwhile the members of public have been leaving flowers at the scene as a mark of respect for those who have lost their lives in this senseless act. The shrine keeps on growing with each hour. People have left flowers, cards and prayers. Some have struggled to contain their grieve and have wept at the crime scene others have just pondered silently at what could have been done to prevent this tragedy.
The Homicide Squad are investigating this incident with the help of Major Collision Investigation Unit. Police are encouraging anyone who witnessed the event or has information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
