Update:
Islamic State have claimed responsibility for the Melbourne hostage attack, saying the gunman was a “soldier” of the militant group.
“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 group announced through its Amaq News Agency.
Speaking on the TODAY show, Commissioner Graham Ashton said police “were not placing too much weight” on the claims.
“We know they just jump in and claim responsibility every time something like this happens, so we don’t place too much weight on it but from the comments at the scene, we’re certainly treating this as a terrorism matter,” he said.
The gunman responsible for the deadly siege has been named as Somalian-born Yacqub Khayre, 29.
He was previously charged, and acquitted, over a suicide plot to attack Sydney’s Holsworthy army barracks in 2009.
He was on parole when the hostage drama unfolded on Monday night.
Earlier:
Police are investigating possible links to terrorism after two men were killed and three police officers injured during an apparent siege at an apartment building in suburban Melbourne.
Authorities stormed the Buckingham Serviced Apartments building on Bay Street in Brighton at 4pm Monday after receiving reports of a loud bang or explosion.
Upon arrival, a man was found murdered in the foyer of the apartment building. The victim had been shot dead.
Armed police shot a gunman dead after a two-hour hostage situation and successfully rescued a woman in her 20s who was being held against her will. The woman was injured in the attack, but her injuries are believed to be non-critical.
Three male police officers suffered non-life threatening gunshot wounds when the gunman opened fire on police. Two have been taken to hospital and a third was treated at the scene.
The Herald Sun reports a senior law enforcement figure said the gunman was known to counter-terrorism investigators and was on parole.
The deadly hostage situation is reported to have lasted over two hours.
A gunman was shot dead and three police officers injured in the incident.
A statement issued by Victoria Police said: “Police have resolved a hostage situation at an apartment block in Brighton.’’
“A man has been shot dead by police in the Bay Street apartment complex shortly before 6pm.”
“Police have safely rescued a woman who was being held against her will in the apartment block.”
“Three police members have sustained non-life threatening injuries during the arrest — two have been taken to hospital and one was treated on scene.”
“Another man was earlier located deceased with a gunshot wound in the lobby of the serviced apartment building just after 4pm.”
Victoria police said it was investigating whether the incident was “terrorism related.”
Channel 7 reportedly received a phone call during the siege, where a women could be heard screaming in the background.
“This is for IS, this is for al-Qaeda,” the caller is reported to have said.
Neither group have yet claimed responsibility for the incident.
More as we get it…
