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Will Mitchell said that he was having a haircut at the Target Mall when people started running screaming.
"The hairdresser runs, runs, runs, runs and runs running and closes the shop," he said. "I went out to see what happened and there was a car on fire.
"I was on the other side of the road and the car was on the other side of the road, next to Target. I was just across the street, where the Starbucks coffee was, and I felt the warmth of the car. All I have seen is the bustle and people running everywhere. Then I stayed and the police cordoned off the area. "
Update
Bourke Street was closed by Vic Roads for an indefinite period.
There is no access to Bourke Street from Swanston Street, otherwise Exhibition St. Russell Street remains open to traffic. Bourke Street will be reopened when police investigations are completed.
People were told to avoid the CBD tonight if they could.
Melissa Davey
(@ MelissaLDavey)6:15 p.m. #BourkeSt @naamanzhou pic.twitter.com/09PyxmUZyV
Update
Clayton also shared more details on how the attack was mastered.
"The nearby police quickly responded to the incident [of a car on fire in Bourke Street]," he said.
"When they got out of the car, they were confronted with a man waving a knife and threatening them. At the same time, passers-by were shouting that members of the public had been stabbed.
"The police shot the man in the chest and he is now in critical condition under surveillance at the hospital."
You can watch the full press conference below.
Victoria Police
(@VictoriaPolice)We live with Superintendent David Clayton following an incident at Bourke St in the CBD this afternoon. https://t.co/OkzIPBVb3m
Update
No links of terrorism at this stage
Police said that there was no known connection to terrorism at the moment.
"The investigation is ongoing and we are keeping an open mind," said Supt. David Clayton.
"There is no known connection to terrorism at this stage. We keep an open mind.
He added that the police were not looking for any other attackers at this stage.
The bomb intervention unit has cordoned off the area around the shopping center and "now secures the premises".
He stated that all witnesses or those with information should go to the Melbourne West Police Station to make a statement.
He took no questions because it was "very early in the investigation phase".
Update
A confirmed death
Victoria Police confirms that one person died on the scene.
Two others are currently in the hospital, said Supt. David Clayton at a news conference.
Police confirmed that they fired at the alleged attacker. He is in critical condition under surveillance at the hospital.
Update
It's so strange. Spectators were evacuated and only the media and the police were allowed to stay.
City loudspeakers for mass incidents are used and a warning message to avoid the area sounds on the empty streets except for emergency cars, police and a scrum of press.
We are waiting for a press conference to start. It starts raining.
Update
ABC spoke to witness Meegan May:
"Some people in the streetcars said that someone had a knife and when I got up and looked out the back window, I could see a big flaming torch crossing the road. She said.
"It sort of stopped on the other side, then I saw a man and two policemen somehow trying to calm him down. He waved his arms, someone said he had a knife – I could not tell where I was from.
"And shortly thereafter, I heard a loud bang that sounded a bit like a shot, nothing like an explosion, and then a person near me said that she could see something." One with chest compressions, one ambulance and 50 police cars. came out of nowhere soon after. "
Update
I just spoke to Neil McKellar, who works in the Hylands Bookstore on Bourke Street, right next to the stage.
McKellar spoke of hearing a loud explosion and then shots. He has just left his building and walked down Little Bourke Street, not far away. He added that the scene was restricted and that police and emergency services were present.
The scene seemed to be under control.
"We heard the explosion and shots later," said McKellar. "We are in a former Bourke Street cinema. We heard it but we did not know what it was. "
Update
The sequence of the incident shows a man using a cart to subdue the attacker. A warning stating that the film contains the sound of a shot in the end.
Windix
(@Windix)@abcmelbourne #bourkest source of wechat pic.twitter.com/PiHjr6UzJ1
The man, whose identity is unclear, is nicknamed by some "Trolley Man".
Another sequence, extracted from the social media application in Chinese language WeChat, shows the alleged attacker lying on the ground, handcuffed by the police.
Meanwhile, the police are expanding their lines.
Melissa Davey
(@ MelissaLDavey)Police swiftly remove people from Swanston Street Extending police lines #BourkeSt
Melissa Davey
(@ MelissaLDavey)Alert system in effect although someone can meet me at the corner of Bourke and Swanston with a portable charger, I will cry for joy @naamanzhou pic.twitter.com/ewr72IndzP
Update
Vic Roads urged people to avoid the area, especially Swanston and Bourke Streets.
People should also take care of Russell Street, Little Collins Street, Elizabeth Street and Little Bourke Street.
Trams do not run on any of Swanston or Bourke streets.
Update
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