So...there was a fatal shooting in Melbourne yesterday. It brought the city to a standstill and terrified a lot of people. Why? Because gun crimes are rare in Australia - and because the person who died was a good samaratin who came to the aid of a young woman.
It occurred about 8.15am on the corner of Flinders Lane and William Street - thankfully the opposite end of the city from me (I've never been so glad to work just outside the CBD before). A man assaulted a young woman, dragging her by her hair, and when several people came to her rescue he pulled out a gun and shot at them. He then ran off and disappeared into the city...
Which is not reassuring, especially at hometime when you're in a crowded train and eyeing everyone and wondering "could he be the one?"
It also will make future good samaratins more wary about offering help. If someone can get killed or hospitalised because they stepped in to try and help, then I know that I'm going to have to seriously weigh up a situation before I ever offer my assistance.
Society takes another step towards becoming more disconnected and insular.
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1 comment:
Wow...I'm amazed that it would bring a city to that size to a standstill. I'm so used to hearing of things of this nature on the news that it hardly even seems strange anymore.
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