A drive-by shooting, a suspected firebombing, and a police shooting have created a chaotic night of violence across Melbourne.
Drive-By Shooting in South Yarra
Shots rang out outside the Emerson Hotel on Commercial Road in South Yarra in the early hours of Sunday. Police reported that "several shots were fired towards the venue before the vehicle drove off." Fortunately, no injuries were reported from this incident.
Firebombing at Prahran Bar
Just hours later and around the corner, a Chapel Street bar in Prahran was set alight. Flames tore through the venue just before 5am. According to police, "a male offender set fire to the Chapel Street licensed premises before fleeing the scene on foot." A man suffered smoke inhalation after attempting to extinguish the flames, and police confirmed that "the building sustained significant damage as a result of the blaze."
Police Shooting in Narre Warren South
Earlier in the evening, officers responded to another volatile incident. A shot was fired during a pursuit of a stolen car in Narre Warren South after 6pm. Police stated that they "fired the shot when the officers left their car to walk towards the stolen vehicle and a second car allegedly drove towards them." Both vehicles fled the scene, and another was later abandoned. No arrests have been made.
Separate Tram Attack in South Melbourne
In a separate incident, a 37-year-old man was arrested following an alleged violent attack on a tram in South Melbourne on Saturday night. Police said that a man and a woman were approached by the offender, who was behaving erratically near the intersection of St Kilda Road and Coventry Street shortly before 7pm. The man was allegedly armed with a small steak knife and a hammer and "is said to have hit the victims a number of times." The pair, both aged in their 40s, were able to restrain the man until police arrived. They were taken to hospital with minor injuries.
Police Investigation
Police are continuing to investigate these incidents and are appealing for anyone with information to come forward. At this stage, there is nothing to suggest that the incidents are related.
