Somali-born terrorist who stabbed three shoppers, killing one, is shot dead by police

A knife-wielding Somali terrorist has been shot dead by police after crashing a car on Melbourne's Bourke Street and setting it on fire, before stabbing three men, killing one man in his 60's.

The lone wolf attacker, who a witness claimed was yelling 'Allahu akbar' was rushed to hospital in a critical condition but later died from his wounds. 

He and his family were known to counter-terror agencies at a state and national level and were believed to have ties with north African extremist groups. 

His passport was cancelled several years ago after he was noted as one of 300 potential security risks, the Herald Sun reported.

It was also noted police are unable to get in touch with the man's wife, and believe she is both missing and radicalised.  

Officers shot him in the chest after his Holden Rodeo loaded with gas cylinders hit a pedestrian as it mounted the kerb and exploded outside Target near the Swanson Street intersection about 4.20pm on Friday.

Video shot from the scene showed the frenzied attack that carried on for more than a minute, beginning with the attacker charging at two police officers, punching one through a vehicle window and lunging at them with a knife.

Victoria Police said they are treating the incident as a terrorist attack, and have identified the man responsible.

Premier Daniel Andrews said the attack was 'an evil and terrifying thing that's happened in our state'.

'Our thoughts and prayers are with everybody touched by this, but we will not be defined by this,' he told reporters at a media conference after the incident. 





MAilOnline