Latest news with #Barrett
Otago Daily Times
7 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
Man shot dead after severing sister's arm: Vic police
A man has been shot dead by police after allegedly severing his sister's arm during an attack which left her in a coma with life-threatening injuries. Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Russell Barrett said the altercation was reported to police by the pair's mother and took place at a home in Yarra Junction, 55km east of Melbourne, on Wednesday evening. Police heard screaming coming from inside the home shortly after arriving at the scene. "They then entered the bedroom and were confronted by a female who appeared to be unconscious and appeared to have a limb that was partially severed, being strangled by a man," Mr Barrett told reporters on Thursday. Officers deployed their Tasers three times in an attempt to stop the assault, but the man continued to strangle his sister, Mr Barrett said. An officer discharged their firearm, fatally shooting the man. "This is tragic, it's every police officer's nightmare," Mr Barrett said. "Both police officers are distressed. They understand the realities of their job ... but it's not what they come to work to do." The woman was flown to the Royal Melbourne Hospital, where she remains in a coma with life-threatening injuries. Mr Barrett said homicide detectives and forensic examiners remain at the scene, which he described as "graphic and dramatic". He confirmed a sword was also found inside the home. Premier Jacinta Allan described the shooting as distressing and said her thoughts were with the family. "They're going to be deeply, deeply traumatised by this tragedy," she said. The man is known to police through his medical condition. State Coroner John Cain attended the scene on Wednesday night. Homicide Squad detectives will investigate the matter with oversight from Professional Standards Command, as is standard procedure for a fatal police shooting.
Sky News AU
7 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Tragedy strikes Hunter Valley wedding as groom diagnosed with MND is airlifted to hospital following minibus crash
A groom-to-be is in a critical condition after the minibus carrying him and his groomsmen crashed down an embankment just hours before his wedding in the NSW Hunter Valley. John Barrett, a father-of-four, was heading to his ceremony at the Molines Bistro at Tallavera Grove vineyard when the minibus he was travelling in veered off Mount View Road near Cessnock around 10.30am on Wednesday. Mr Barrett, who had recently been diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) and was wheelchair-bound, was trapped inside the wreckage for 45 minutes after the vehicle reportedly rolled seven times and tumbled more than 150m down a steep incline. Guests travelling behind in convoy called Triple-0 after seeing the horrific crash unfold on the winding country road, The Daily Telegraph reported. Emergency crews arrived quickly despite the remote location, and two men, Mr Barrett and another male suffering suspected spinal injuries, were flown by rescue helicopters to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition. 'Two critically unwell patients were transported by helicopter to John Hunter Hospital, and the four stable patients were transported by road to John Hunter Hospital,' NSW Ambulance Superintendent Jake Broughton-Rouse said. 'One of our critically unwell patients was a 60-year-old male suffering head injuries and the other critically unwell patient was a 50-year-old male suffering limb injuries.' Four others, including the driver and three passengers, were taken by road ambulance in stable conditions. The crash took place before guests had even arrived at the picturesque midweek celebration, where the venue had already been set up with flowers and wedding decorations in anticipation of the ceremony. Police confirmed the driver will undergo mandatory blood and alcohol testing. Investigators are now examining whether wet road conditions or seatbelt use played a role in the accident. 'It is a tragic situation and we're very fortunate that the injuries weren't fatal. It definitely could have been worse,' said Hunter Valley Police District Commander, Superintendent Steve Laksa. Police say they are treating the incident as a 'very serious' matter and have launched a full investigation to determine how the minibus left the road. 'We're doing an investigation to try to identify the cause of the accident,' police confirmed. So far this year, the Hunter Valley police district has recorded 15 fatal crashes.
Perth Now
8 hours ago
- Perth Now
Cops shoot brother dead after alleged attack on sister
A man has been shot dead by police after allegedly severing his sister's arm during an attack, with the victim in a coma with life-threatening injuries. Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Russell Barrett said the altercation was reported to police by the pair's mother and took place at a home in Yarra Junction, 55km east of Melbourne, on Wednesday evening. Police heard screaming coming from inside the home shortly after arriving at the scene. "They then entered the bedroom and were confronted by a female who appeared to be unconscious and appeared to have a limb that was partially severed, being strangled by a man," Mr Barrett told reporters on Thursday. Officers deployed their Tasers three times in an attempt to stop the assault, but the man continued to strangle his sister, Mr Barrett said. An officer discharged their firearm, fatally shooting the man. "This is tragic, it's every police officer's nightmare," Mr Barrett said. "Both police officers are distressed. They understand the realities of their job ... but it's not what they come to work to do." The woman was flown to the Royal Melbourne Hospital, where she remains in a coma with life-threatening injuries. Mr Barrett said homicide detectives and forensic examiners remain at the scene, which he described as "graphic and dramatic". He confirmed a sword was also found inside the home. Premier Jacinta Allan described the shooting as distressing and said her thoughts were with the family. "They're going to be deeply, deeply traumatised by this tragedy," she said. The man is known to police through his medical condition. State Coroner John Cain attended the scene on Wednesday night. Homicide Squad detectives will investigate the matter with oversight from Professional Standards Command, as is standard procedure for a fatal police shooting. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491
The Advertiser
9 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Man shot dead by police after woman suffers injuries in 'graphic' attack
A woman is fighting for her life in hospital after being allegedly strangled by a man police shot dead when they responded to the scene of a "graphic and dramatic" attack. Two officers arrived at a home on Warburton Highway in Yarra Junction, east of Melbourne, at 5.30pm on July 30, where they said they found a man attacking a woman. Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Russell Barrett said the officers witnessed the man strangling the woman, who had suffered a grave sword wound. "When they walked in, he was strangling the female, and the arm was partially severed," Assistant Commissioner Barrett said. The man was shot by a police officer after Tasers were discharged, he said. An ambulance was called to the home, but the man could not be revived. The woman was taken by air ambulance to hospital where she remains unconscious with life-threatening injuries. Police said the parties are believed to be known to each other. The man was known to police "through his medical condition", Assistant Commissioner Barrett said. "Our forensic examiners are there. We have recovered a sword, but the investigation is ongoing," he said. Homicide Squad detectives are investigating the death, as is procedure for a fatal police shooting. Anyone who witnessed the incident or with further information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at A woman is fighting for her life in hospital after being allegedly strangled by a man police shot dead when they responded to the scene of a "graphic and dramatic" attack. Two officers arrived at a home on Warburton Highway in Yarra Junction, east of Melbourne, at 5.30pm on July 30, where they said they found a man attacking a woman. Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Russell Barrett said the officers witnessed the man strangling the woman, who had suffered a grave sword wound. "When they walked in, he was strangling the female, and the arm was partially severed," Assistant Commissioner Barrett said. The man was shot by a police officer after Tasers were discharged, he said. An ambulance was called to the home, but the man could not be revived. The woman was taken by air ambulance to hospital where she remains unconscious with life-threatening injuries. Police said the parties are believed to be known to each other. The man was known to police "through his medical condition", Assistant Commissioner Barrett said. "Our forensic examiners are there. We have recovered a sword, but the investigation is ongoing," he said. Homicide Squad detectives are investigating the death, as is procedure for a fatal police shooting. Anyone who witnessed the incident or with further information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at A woman is fighting for her life in hospital after being allegedly strangled by a man police shot dead when they responded to the scene of a "graphic and dramatic" attack. Two officers arrived at a home on Warburton Highway in Yarra Junction, east of Melbourne, at 5.30pm on July 30, where they said they found a man attacking a woman. Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Russell Barrett said the officers witnessed the man strangling the woman, who had suffered a grave sword wound. "When they walked in, he was strangling the female, and the arm was partially severed," Assistant Commissioner Barrett said. The man was shot by a police officer after Tasers were discharged, he said. An ambulance was called to the home, but the man could not be revived. The woman was taken by air ambulance to hospital where she remains unconscious with life-threatening injuries. Police said the parties are believed to be known to each other. The man was known to police "through his medical condition", Assistant Commissioner Barrett said. "Our forensic examiners are there. We have recovered a sword, but the investigation is ongoing," he said. Homicide Squad detectives are investigating the death, as is procedure for a fatal police shooting. Anyone who witnessed the incident or with further information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at A woman is fighting for her life in hospital after being allegedly strangled by a man police shot dead when they responded to the scene of a "graphic and dramatic" attack. Two officers arrived at a home on Warburton Highway in Yarra Junction, east of Melbourne, at 5.30pm on July 30, where they said they found a man attacking a woman. Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Russell Barrett said the officers witnessed the man strangling the woman, who had suffered a grave sword wound. "When they walked in, he was strangling the female, and the arm was partially severed," Assistant Commissioner Barrett said. The man was shot by a police officer after Tasers were discharged, he said. An ambulance was called to the home, but the man could not be revived. The woman was taken by air ambulance to hospital where she remains unconscious with life-threatening injuries. Police said the parties are believed to be known to each other. The man was known to police "through his medical condition", Assistant Commissioner Barrett said. "Our forensic examiners are there. We have recovered a sword, but the investigation is ongoing," he said. Homicide Squad detectives are investigating the death, as is procedure for a fatal police shooting. Anyone who witnessed the incident or with further information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at
18 hours ago
Police arrest suspect in Melbourne synagogue arson attack
MELBOURNE, Australia -- Australian police say they have arrested one of three men they suspect are responsible for an arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue that marked a major escalation in antisemitic violence across the nation. A 21-year-old Melbourne man was arrested at a house on Wednesday on suspicion that he had set fire to the Adass Israel Synagogue in December, Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Wendy Steendam said. The predawn attack destroyed the synagogue and left a worshipper with minor burns. The arrest is a major breakthrough for investigators in the Victorian Joint Counter-Terrorism Team that is treating the attack as politically motivated. The team involves Victoria state and federal police as well as Australia's main domestic spy agency. More than 220 law enforcement officers have devoted more than 50,000 hours to the investigation. The suspect, who has not been named, was being questioned on Wednesday about offenses including arson, conduct endangering life and car theft, Steendam said. An arson conviction carries a potential maximum of 15 years in prison, while the other two offenses are each punishable by 10 years imprisonment. The suspect has yet to be charged. 'This investigation remains ongoing and we anticipate there'll be further arrests,' Steendam told reporters. 'I want to reassure Victorians, particularly those in the Jewish community, that we remain relentless in our pursuit in finding all those responsible for this crime and holding them to account,' she added. Police suspect offshore criminals had worked with associates in Victoria to orchestrate the attack, Australian Federal Police Deputy Commissioner Krissy Barrett said. 'The motivation is still being assessed,' Barrett said. 'We are … working closely with our Five Eyes partners and international partners to ensure our collective powers and capabilities are drawn upon to help bring those responsible to justice,' she added. Five Eyes is an intelligence-sharing partnership that includes Australia, the United States, Britain, Canada and New Zealand. Barrett declined to say who the offshore suspects were or identify the countries they were operating in. Two weeks ago, a 20-year-old man was charged with stealing the car used in the synagogue attack. But that suspect has not been accused of being one of the masked men who used brooms to spread a liquid accelerant across the floor of the synagogue before igniting it. A wave of antisemitic attacks has roiled Australia since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas assault on Israel triggered the war in Gaza. The synagogue attack is the only incident that has been classified as an act of terrorism, a designation that increases the resources available to the investigation. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke welcomed the arrest in connection with what he described as a 'hate crime.' Burke noted that his government had promised 30 million Australian dollars ($20 million) to rebuild the synagogue. 'This arrest cannot undo the pain and fear that it (arson) caused, but it does send the strongest message that this kind of hate and violence has no place in Australia,' Burke told Parliament. 'This attack was not simply an attack on Jewish Australians An attack on a synagogue is an attack on Australia and is treated as such,' he added. Daniel Aghion, president of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, the main advocate for the nation's Jewish community, hoped more arrests would be made and that the masterminds of the crime would be quickly brought to justice. 'Only then will a deterrent be established against this sort of chilling behavior,' Aghion said.
