The Hoddle Street massacre is the name given to a tragedy that occurred on the evening of Sunday, August 9, 1987 in Hoddle Street, Clifton Hill, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia. The shootings resulted in the deaths of 7 people, and serious injury to 19 others.
After a police chase lasting more than 30 minutes, 19 year old former Australian ArmycadetJulian Knight was caught in nearby Fitzroy and arrested for the shootings. Knight was later sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum non-parole period of 27 years for the bloodiest massacre in Australian history since the Sydney Milperra Bikie massacre in September 1984, where six men and a 15-year-old girl were killed.
Knight entered the Royal Military College, Duntroon on January 13, 1987, at the age of 18. Whilst a military career had long been a dream, he performed poorly at studies and gained good results only in weapons expertise exercises.
A night at the Private Binnightclub in Canberra saw Knight involved in the stabbing of his sargeant and charged with assault, malicious wounding and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He was bailed to appear in court on June 12 but the case was subsequently adjourned to November 10. With his military career now all but over, it was suggested Knight resign.
Timeline of events
Below is a timeline of events which occurred on August 9, 1987 during the drama.
9.29pm - Knight leaves his mother's house armed with
