Police shoot gunman dead and free woman hostage

Police stormed the building and shot the gunman dead after discovering the body of another man in the foyer in the serviced apartment in Brighton, 11km south-east of Melbourne’s central business district. 

The Seven Network reported that the gunman called the organisation saying “This is for Islamic State. This is for al-Qaida.” Victoria police said it was investigating whether the incident was “terrorism related”. 

According to reports, the police operation was launched at the Bay Street apartment in Brighton following reports of an explosion at 4 pm. A woman was held hostage by a suspect who was later shot dead by police in a volley of gunfire in the apartment block. “A man has been shot dead by police in the Bay Street apartment complex shortly before 6 pm. Police have safely rescued a woman who was being held against her will in the apartment block,” police said. 

Dozens of gunshots rang out just after 6 pm in Bay Street with crowds of people fleeing and taking refuge in a nearby supermarket.