Bairnsdale police have charged a 24-year-old woman after four people were allegedly stabbed in Bairnsdale on Thursday evening.
Investigators have been told a woman was behaving erratically and approaching people in a supermarket on Nicholson Street about 9.50pm on May 29.
It’s alleged the woman approached a 45-year-old male staff member and stabbed him in the stomach with a multi-purpose knife with a short blade before leaving
the store.
The woman was seen heading towards a nearby fast-food restaurant car park where it is alleged she approached a 21-year-old man in his car and demanded a lift.
There was an altercation between the two and the man received a laceration to his stomach.
It is alleged the woman then went to a nearby hotel on Macleod Street and assaulted a 52-year-old man.
He sustained a non-life-threatening laceration to his arm.
The woman lastly made her way to the Bairnsdale Train Station and allegedly stabbed a fourth man, a 25-year-old, in the shoulder.
Police quickly responded to the scene and arrested the 24-year-old woman at around 10.05pm.
She has been charged with intentionally causing injury and recklessly causing injury.
The Ravenhall woman will faced Bairnsdale Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
All four victims were taken to hospital, one who was at the time in a serious condition, while the remaining three were treated for minor injuries and released.
In a press conference at Bairnsdale Police Station last Friday, Inspector Mark Rossiter said it was an isolated incident.
“An unprovoked attack is very rare, and an unprovoked attack with multiple victims is even rarer and something I haven’t seen locally in Gippsland before.”
A security guard is now posted outside Bairnsdale Woolworths and officers have increased foot patrols in the
Bairnsdale CBD.
Anyone who witnessed the event or with footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
POLICE FORUM
The alleged stabbing came a day after residents of East Gippsland were invited to the East Gippsland Victoria Police 2025 Neighbourhood Policing forum at the Bairnsdale RSL last Wednesday.
Around 50 residents turned out to the forum, with police officers travelling from Orbost, Mallacoota and Cann River to also take part in the event and answer questions from the audience.
The forum included a panel of senior police who led discussions on community safety concerns and explored a variety of topics including family violence, current crime trends, young people, road policing and drug-related crime.
Questions from the public included queries about officers visiting schools, education programs and elder abuse.
