During a two-and-a-half hour standoff in Melbourne’s west earlier this week, a man shot at police and held a father and his toddler hostage.
Charges have been filed against him.
In connection with the events of Tuesday in Weir Views, a 26-year-old male from Snake Valley was today charged with numerous crimes.
At around 3:40 p.m., police in Melton discovered a vehicle that was reported stolen.
The vehicle had reportedly been taken in a carjacking from a 70-year-old woman in Snake Valley earlier in the day.
A man allegedly stepped out of the vehicle and opened fire on police as they pursued it to Weir Views’ Leon Drive.
Officers escaped unharmed.
Ali, a father of five, and his son, who was one year old at the time, were still inside the house when he stormed it.
A dad allegedly trapped himself in his daughter’s bedroom, according to Ali, who was napping when he woke up.
Authorities spent hours negotiating with the man, locking off the neighbourhood.
Officers were able to liberate Ali and his son by breaking a front window and carrying them to safety. They escaped unscathed.
Police retaliated with gunfire after the man allegedly opened fire again.
After 6 o’clock in the evening, an arrest was made with the assistance of a police dog.
Following his hospitalisation for a dog bite injury, the 26-year-old was placed under police guard and is now facing 25 charges, including five counts of assaulting police, five counts of recklessly discharging a firearm to the safety of a police officer, two counts of reckless conduct endangering life, two counts of false imprisonment, and making a threat to kill.
His next court appearance is this evening at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.
