In a heart-stopping ordeal that unfolded in Melbourne’s west, a father described the traumatic moment he discovered a stranger in his home who allegedly threatened his life and the life of his one-year-old child. Ali, a local resident whose home became a hostage site during the dramatic standoff, choked back tears as he recounted the terrifying incident, which began when a man on the run from police barricaded himself inside Ali’s home with him and his infant.
Ali explained how he encountered the intruder: “One of my daughter’s bedrooms was locked, and I tried to open it,” he recalled on Wednesday. “I heard a noise, then someone saying, ‘I have a gun, I’ll kill you if you come inside.’ He was threatening me.” Ali was overwhelmed by the sudden presence of a stranger in his own home. “Imagine someone next to you with a gun,” he added, conveying the terror of the experience.
The Chase Begins: Suspect Carjacks a Vehicle in Snake Valley
The chaos began earlier on Tuesday afternoon, November 12, in the small Victorian town of Snake Valley. Around 2:30 p.m., a 26-year-old man, who is known to authorities, allegedly carjacked a vehicle from a woman in the area. This incident set off a high-speed pursuit by police, which led the suspect toward the Melbourne suburb of Melton in the city’s outer west.
During the chase, the man reportedly attempted another carjacking but failed to seize a second vehicle. Police tracked him to the neighboring suburb of Weir Views, where officers patrolled in search of the suspect. It was here that the situation escalated dangerously. The man allegedly fired a shot from a high-powered rifle at police officers in the area, although no officers were injured in the exchange.
A Siege Unfolds: Intruder Barricades Himself in Family Home
Following the encounter with police, the suspect took refuge in Ali’s home on Leon Drive, where he held Ali and his baby inside for over two hours. According to Victoria Police Superintendent Michael Cruse, authorities quickly mobilized the Special Operations Group and the critical incident response team to the site, initiating intense negotiations in an attempt to resolve the situation safely.
“Throughout the negotiations, we attempted for him to surrender and put the firearm down,” Superintendent Cruse told reporters. Police worked to provide the suspect a safe way to surrender, but the situation grew increasingly volatile.
As officers worked to safely evacuate Ali and his child, the intruder’s actions remained unpredictable and perilous. At one point, officers negotiated for Ali to escape through a front window, an effort that was successful just after 6 p.m. But as the father and baby escaped, a shot rang out from inside the home, escalating the urgency of the situation and prompting a swift police response.
Shots Fired as Police Confront the Suspect
As soon as Ali and his baby were safely out of the home, the critical incident team prepared to enter the house. Once inside, officers reported another round of gunfire from the suspect, to which police responded by returning fire. Amid the tense standoff, a police dog was deployed, managing to subdue the suspect, who was subsequently taken into custody.
Superintendent Cruse praised the courage and professionalism of his officers in what he described as an “extremely dangerous” situation. “It’s extremely lucky that no officers were injured,” he said. “The offending is very serious, and it’s completely unacceptable that police members were exposed to this kind of danger.”
The suspect sustained injuries from the police dog during the arrest and was taken to Royal Melbourne Hospital for treatment. Police indicated that once released from the hospital, the man would face multiple charges in connection with the incidents that day.
Erratic Behavior Before the Final Arrest
The suspect’s behavior throughout the standoff was described as erratic by authorities. Reports surfaced that the man had been seen in Ali’s backyard, jumping on a trampoline before the police intervention. Superintendent Cruse noted that the suspect exhibited unpredictable behavior, further complicating the tense negotiations and heightening the risk to those involved.
Support for the Victims
Although shaken, Ali and his infant escaped the ordeal without physical injuries. Victoria Police have assured that ongoing support and resources will be available to help the family cope with the aftermath of the traumatic event. “Investigators will make sure they get referrals and they’re OK, but undoubtedly, it is a terrifying incident—very, very traumatic—and we’ll need to support them through this,” Superintendent Cruse emphasized.
The Next Steps in the Investigation
The man remains under police custody while undergoing medical treatment, with investigators prepared to file charges against him upon his release. Police have stated that a comprehensive investigation will continue to ensure all legal steps are taken against the suspect, whose actions endangered both civilians and law enforcement officers.
Victoria Police have expressed their relief that the situation was resolved without casualties but reiterated the severity of the charges likely to be brought against the suspect.
