Shooting in Melbourne CBD - 3 shot  #
Monday, 18 Jun 2007 09:04AM
Shooting in Melbourne CBD right near my work just before I got to work.

I'm fine. I'm told by people at work the shooting was outside the cafe.

The block I work in is in lock down so we can't leave. Helicopters keep thudding past.

At least three people were shot, reportedlty at a cafe. One man died as paramedics treated him.

Police have blocked all access to the Rialto building.

A Victoria Police spokesman said at least three shots had been fired in the Williams St and Flinder Lane area just before 8.30am.

SMH has more details:

[...] A witness said that, before the shooting broke out, the gunman grabbed a woman by the neck as she sat in a taxi, and tried to get into the vehicle.

"The lady got away and he turned and shot three people basically point blank," Mr Bates said. "I was right across the road."

He told ABC Radio the gunman then ran down Flinders Lane toward the city centre.

[...]

"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," he told ABC Radio.