Dramatic Shooting And Hostage Situation In Melbourne: Police Investigating Terror Link

[Coss]

Police say terrorism is "one line of investigation" after the Melbourne hostage situation earlier this evening.

 

The counter-terrorism unit is involved in investigating whether the siege was a terror incident, after a man called a local newsroom saying "This is for IS. This is for al Qaeda".

 

The hostage-taker was shot dead by police in the Bay Street apartment complex at Brighton shortly before 6pm local time.

 

More at http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=11870046

[bust]

" Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton said the gunman, who the ABC understand was Yacqub Khayre, was known to police and had a long criminal history.

"We are treating it as a terrorism incident," Commissioner Ashton told ABC News Breakfast.

He said the gunman "had been involved in a terrorism matter up in New South Wales back in 2009".

IS published a statement via its Amaq propaganda arm, which said the attack in Melbourne was carried out by one of its "soldiers".

"The attack in Melbourne, Australia was carried out by a soldier of the Islamic State in response to the call for targeting the subjects of the coalition states," the statement said."

 

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-06-06/islamic-state-claims-responsibility-for-brighton-siege/8591540