“This is a 35-year-old person who should have had his whole life ahead of him,” vigil organiser Gemma Cafarella told the crowd.
“People of colour are disproportionately targeted by police,” she said.
Some people who gathered for the vigil cried “shame”, and said the show of police force in the area made them feel fearful, not safe.
“What we need is investment in health responses, investment in housing, investment in social support,” Cafarella said.
African community leader Berhan Ahmed, who heads the nearby youth and community services organisation Africause, confirmed the man who was shot was a member of the African community.
He said many people were becoming desperate in the face of rising living costs, and did not have proper mental health support.
“How many people need to be killed before we do something? These people are desperate. It is quite shocking. This situation is getting out of hand.”
Residents react
A Footscray resident who witnessed the shooting questioned why police did not use a Taser or capsicum spray before drawing their guns.
“There are so many other options, and there are so many resources and ways to restrain, keep people safe, and keep yourself safe,” he said.
The man, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he was driving with his girlfriend when the officers pulled out their guns and fired multiple shots at the man just metres in front of his vehicle.
The witness said it felt like “it went on forever”. He said Footscray needed more support services to help those struggling with mental health and substance abuse, but more policing was “not the way to go”.
Police response
On Friday morning, Victoria Police Commander Tim Tully said the sergeant and constable at the scene instructed the man to drop the knife.
Tully said the man refused and allegedly ran at the officers, prompting them to shoot.
He said there were no protocols requiring police to explore other options before drawing their guns. The Age is not suggesting the officers breached any police protocols.
“Police undertake specific training and are provided with a range of tactical options and equipment to keep the community safe. In these circumstances, the members deemed that the firearm was appropriate,” Tully said.
Tully did not say how many shots were fired, but a witness estimated there were a total of six to eight. Tully said an investigation by homicide squad detectives and overseen by Professional Standards Command would also probe whether the man got the knife from a nearby Kmart store.
“I’m aware that post the incident, there was a group of persons who challenged police in terms of abusing them and throwing bottles,” Tully said.
“My understanding is that those persons were not connected with the deceased man. In terms of their behaviour, that is something we’ll certainly look at.”
Later on Friday morning, an Easter procession comprising several churches from Footscray stopped at the scene of the shooting to pray and sing.
‘People are a bit scared’
A nearby shop owner who did not want to be identified said the area was busy with people doing last-minute Easter shopping at the time of the shooting on Thursday night.
“This is obviously a scary thing, a crazy thing,” he said.
Officers talking to shopkeepers and residents at the scene on Friday morning were also inquiring about vandalism after glass panels in three bus shelters near the shooting scene had been smashed about 8.30am.
The shop owner said he resorted to installing metal bars in his business about a month ago after at two break-in attempts.
Last week, police visited Footscray with the dog unit to talk to business owners about their crime concerns, but Tully said he did not believe it was a “problem suburb” for crime.
“In terms of the drug issues down there, that may have been the focus of the operation [last week], and I think sadly, you’ll see that across a number of different suburbs across the state,” he said.
Tully also said officers would conduct “reassurance patrols” in coming days to help Footscray residents feel more secure.
Maribyrnong councillor Susan Yengi urged the local community to unite in response to the shooting.
“This heartbreaking incident is the latest in a string of events that have shaken African communities across our city. The sadness is deep. Too many families are living with grief, and too many young lives have been cut short,” she said.
“This moment demands more than sorrow, it calls for resolve.”
A challenging month
In the past month, police shot two people in separate incidents in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs. Both shootings were non-fatal and were being investigated by professional standards.
On March 29, police shot a man who allegedly charged at them with a metal pole in Doveton.
In Mulgrave on April 4, an officer shot a woman through the window of the car she was in after she allegedly pointed a gun at the man driving the car following a police pursuit.
In 2021, the Victorian state government pledged $214 million to equip all frontline police with Tasers. It said the move would save lives as officers would have more non-lethal options to keep the community safe.
On Friday, Premier Jacinta Allan said it was “a very distressing set of circumstances for this individual’s family”, and also “potentially dangerous” for police.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or with further information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
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