One person died and two were injured after a gunman opened fire on a busy street in the centre of Melbourne in Australia at the height of rush hour.
One person died and two were injured after a gunman opened fire on a busy street in the centre of Melbourne in Australia at the height of rush hour.
The two who were hurt reportedly both suffered chest wounds and were taken to hospital in a critical condition.
The two who were hurt reportedly both suffered chest wounds and were taken to hospital in a critical condition.
The gunman escaped on foot and is now being sought by police.
The gunman escaped on foot and is now being sought by police.
Much of the city centre has been closed, with people being warned to stay indoors, as armed officers, backed by helicopters, search the area.
Parts of the city centre were closed, with people being warned to stay indoors as armed officers, backed by helicopters, search the area.
A weapon was recovered from the scene, but police fear the man might still be armed.
A weapon was recovered from the scene, but police fear the man might still be armed.
The incident on the corner of Flinders and William Streets happened during the morning rush hour, sending hundreds of commuters fleeing for cover.
The incident on the corner of Flinders and William Streets happened during the morning rush hour, sending hundreds of commuters fleeing for cover.
He let go of her hair, pulled out a gun and shot them all Witness Ross Murchie Police believe that one of the injured victims, a woman, knew the assailant.
He let go of her hair, pulled out a gun and shot them all Witness Ross Murchie Police believe that one of the injured victims, a woman, knew the assailant.
"There is no suggestion this is a random act - it appears there was a relation with the gunman and the victims, so we are asking people not to panic," Victoria Police Inspector Glen Weir said.
"There is no suggestion this is a random act - it appears there was a relation with the gunman and the victims, so we are asking people not to panic," Victoria Police Inspector Glen Weir said.
"There are numerous police attending the search within the vicinity of the incident and there's a large cordon and containment operation under way as we speak," Inspector Weir added.
"There are numerous police attending the search within the vicinity of the incident and there's a large cordon and containment operation under way as we speak," Inspector Weir added.
Businesses closed
Businesses closed
"A girl came out of a building over the road, she was screaming and a guy had her by the hair," witness Ross Murchie told the Australian Broadcasting Corp.
"A girl came out of a building over the road, she was screaming and a guy had her by the hair," witness Ross Murchie told the Australian Broadcasting Corp.
Workers have been warned to stay inside offices and shops"She tried to grab hold of a taxi that was going by and the couple of bystanders went over to ask what was happening," Mr Murchie said.
Workers have been warned to stay inside offices and shops"She tried to grab hold of a taxi that was going by and the couple of bystanders went over to ask what was happening," Mr Murchie said.
"He let go of her hair, pulled out a gun and shot them all."
"He let go of her hair, pulled out a gun and shot them all."
The other person who was injured and the one who died were both reported as male.
The other person who was injured and the one who died were both reported as male.
The incident forced the closure of a number of streets in the commercial heart of what is Australia's second-largest city, with shops and offices shut as armed police and helicopters hunt for the gunman.
The incident forced the closure of a number of streets in the commercial heart of what is Australia's second-largest city, with shops and offices shut as armed police and helicopters hunt for the gunman.
"No-one is allowed out of the building - we have to close down everything, customers are inside, we have to remain inside," shop owner Hened Mouawad told AFP.
"No-one is allowed out of the building - we have to close down everything, customers are inside, we have to remain inside," shop owner Hened Mouawad told AFP.
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