Alleged Bourke St rampage driver to face extra murder charge
The man accused of killing six people and injuring dozens on Melbourne’s Bourke Street will face a raft of new charges for attempted murder and conduct endangering life.
Police say they will scrupulously call more than 900 witnesses as they piece together the alleged January 20 attack on one of the city’s busiest streets.
They are working as fast as they can “to expedite the criminal process”, acknowledging the traumatising impact it had on so many people
Dimitrious Gargasoulas has been charged with murdering 10-year-old Thalia Hakin; Jess Mudie, 22; Matthew Si, 33; a 25-year-old man and Zachary Bryant, a three-month-old boy.
He will face more charges, including an extra count of murder, and possibly counts of attempted murder for those most seriously injured, Mr Fontana told media.
But there are delays as some people are still struggling or not in a condition to provide statements, with six still in hospital, one in a critical condition.
Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Stephen Fontana said on Thursday detectives would work around the clock this weekend to call the remaining people.
“To date we have taken 429 statements and that is statements from members of the community, emergency service workers, including police,” Mr Fontana told reporters.
From Friday afternoon until Saturday, 24 detectives will try and catch up with 483 other people who called in to provide details.
“Every effort will be made by us to expedite the criminal process.”
Thirty-seven people were run down in the rampage.
Charges against accused killer Mr Gargasoulas, 27, will be consolidated and presented to him once all the statements are final.
Police expect to charge him with attempted murder, conduct endangering life and other related offences that were not outlined by Mr Fontana.
A special team has been set up within the homicide squad to deal exclusively with the Bourke Street investigation — which is working closely with the director of public prosecutions and the coroner.
Police are also reviewing more than 70 videos and pictures that were uploaded on the force’s digital platform after the attack.
They are also trying to find a person who uploaded a screenshot of Mr Gargasoulas’s Facebook page and provided information on his whereabouts in the days leading up the the attack, Mr Fontana said.
Hundreds of witnesses and victims of the rampage have taken up the offer of support from the victims assistance program. It is managing 840 people and 766 have a case manager-assigned.
More than 1000 police have also contacted the force’s welfare department for assistance in dealing with the tragedy.
Mr Gargasoulas will appear in court on August 1 and a committal hearing is listed for December 15.