Zain Khan, a 26-year-old, has been charged with murder and attempted murder following the death of a man in Melbourne’s CBD.
Zain has been identified by Herald Sun as the driver who allegedly crashed into pedestrians on Bourke Street.
Zain is from Melton West and at about 6 pm on Friday his white Toyota Aurion sedan allegedly hit three pedestrians on the intersection of Bourke St and Russell St.
The footage of the aftermath of the rampage captured by social media users shows Zain sitting on the roof of the Toyota before Victoria Police officers pulled him down and arrested him.
During a press conference on Friday evening, Superintendent Zorka Dunstan said the incident is not suspected to be linked to a terrorist organisation.
“We understand it’s a person with mental health issues.”
As per 7News, the suspect was known to police and had a mental health transfer in 2020.
Zain’s mother told 7News that her son had been battling mental health issues since 2017:
“It’s very sad. He’s sick …. as a mum it’s not easy … it’s hard. I heard, like you know, he’s hurt people, I was shocked at that part.”
Victoria Police said he was possibly travelling at 60 to 70 km/hr and may have accelerated after hitting the pedestrians.
A 76-year-old man from Brunswick who was the driver of the Hyundai died at the scene.
Three other pedestrians and the occupants of the CX-5 were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Victoria Police said in a statement that the man had been charged with one count of murder, three counts of attempted murder, three counts of intentionally causing serious injury, and two counts of conduct endangering life.
Zain Khan appeared at an after-hours court hearing where he was remanded in custody to reappear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 15 January 2024.
