A man has been shot dead near a Halloween party in North Melbourne where a huge crowd of Africans fought each other in the street and assaulted a news cameraman.
Victoria Police said emergency services were called to Langford Street at about 3.15am on Saturday after a man was found with a gunshot wound, and pronounced him dead at the scene. He was later identified by family as 20-year-old African man.
Video recorded by 7 News shows African partygoers attacking each other near the party venue in front of a large number of police officers, who watched on as the violence unfolded.
No arrests were made.
Crime Command Detective Acting Inspector Alan Rumble said on Saturday that “emotions were high” when officers turned up.
“It’s a horrific incident, it’s something that none of us want to experience, police or the local community,” he said.
“Our real goal here today is to … ensure that the family of the victim are supported at this horrible time, ensure the offenders are brought to account and give the local community assurance that Victoria Police take this seriously and we are here to support them.
“We are here to appeal for witnesses, we know that there were a lot of people in the area at the time. We urge those witnesses to reach out and contact police.”
It remains unclear whether the gunman or the victim attended the party at venue The Third Day, and police said Homicide Squad detectives are now investigating.
Police remained in the area on Saturday as grieving family members of the victim turned up at the scene.
Loved ones said the dead man was “loving, caring, and always putting others above himself”.
Header image: Left: The man who was shot dead. Right: Africans brawl in front of police (7 News)
