Overnight Chaos in Melbourne's South-East: Police Respond to Four Separate Incidents
No fatalities have been reported following a series of violent and criminal incidents across Melbourne's south-east overnight, including a police pursuit, a drive-by shooting, an arson, and an assault on a tram.
Police Pursuit and Shooting
Shortly after 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, police fired a shot at a vehicle during a pursuit of a stolen car in Narre Warren South. Officers exited their vehicle and approached the stolen car when a second vehicle allegedly drove toward them. Both vehicles fled the scene. One vehicle was later found abandoned. No arrests have been made.
Drive-by Shooting in South Yarra
Around 2:00 a.m., police responded to reports of a drive-by shooting at the Emerson Hotel on Commercial Road in South Yarra. A vehicle pulled up to the venue, and a gunman fired several shots into the building before fleeing. No injuries were reported. Police have cordoned off part of Commercial Road as part of the investigation.
The Emerson Hotel had been the target of a suspected arson less than two weeks prior to this incident.
Arson in Prahran
At approximately 5:00 a.m., a bar on Chapel Street in Prahran was set on fire. A man sustained smoke inhalation while attempting to extinguish the flames. Police were informed that a man was seen setting the fire before fleeing on foot. The building sustained significant damage.
Tram Assault
In a separate incident, a 37-year-old man was arrested following an alleged assault on a tram in South Melbourne. Shortly before 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, the man, reportedly carrying a small steak knife and a hammer, allegedly approached a man and a woman in their 40s on a tram near St Kilda Road and Coventry Street and struck them multiple times. The victims subdued the suspect until police arrived. They were taken to hospital with minor injuries.