The Hoddle Street Massacre

For most Melburnians, 9^th August 1987 was like any other night. However, those driving on Hoddle Street, Clifton Hill, just after 9.00pm, found themselves in the middle of what would later be known as the Hoddle Street Massacre. Six people were shot dead and 19 others wounded before the night was out.

The killer was a former Australian Army officer-cadet, 19-year-old Julian Knight. Julian had been expelled from the Royal Military College months before for stabbing a sergeant at a Canberra nightclub.

Julian was said to be depressed over the end of his military career, but when he had earlier appeared at a police station to apply for a shooter's licence on his 18^th birthday, he was calm and polite. Three months later he had his licence, as well as a pump-action shotgun, a .22 rifle and an automatic M14 military-style automatic rifle, the weapons he used on his killing spree.

On the night of the attack, Julian had been drinking at a pub. After about ten pots of beer, he collected his guns and ammunition from home and positioned himself on a raised platform behind a billboard at the corner of Ramsden and Hoddle streets, Clifton Hill. From there he fired at people driving along the street.

Many people thought their cars had backfired or that a car in front had thrown up a stone and shattered their windscreen. When they realised they were being fired at, many drivers took shelter in a nearby petrol station, where staff called the police.

When police arrived, it was still very hard to see where Julian Knight was firing from, and over the next two to three hours he continued to hurt and kill people walking by. One witness said they saw a victim's body on the road, shaking as Julian Knight shot them again and again.

After a half hour police chase through the streets of Melbourne, Julian repeatedly shot at police officers, squad cars and a police helicopter. He was eventually cornered by a detective and surrendered. Julian Knight was given a life sentence and is still in prison. He is still unapologetic to the people he killed and hurt and their families.