Violent criminal Samir Ograzden was
killed by police in an inner Melbourne
shootout that also left a
policeman injured.
Ograzden, 25, of Essendon, had a
long and violent criminal history and
was wanted for four offences when
he opened fire just before midnight
on Tuesday.
Prahran Senior Constable David
McHenry, 27, was shot in a leg with a
.22 pistol, apparently while reloading
his gun during Tuesday's shootout .
Senior Constable McHenry was
called as backup after two rookie
police came across Ograzden and
two other men during a routine
traffic inspection. Ograzden was
found in possession of drugs and
firearms.
Along with the pistol, a sawn-off
shotgun was also found nearby.
Senior Constable McHenry was
yesterday in a stable condition and
was expected to make a full recovery.
The two probationary constables,
one male on his first night shift and
one female, are also understood to
have fired at the gunman, and are
receiving counselling.
The Victorian Police Association
said it was lucky Senior Constable
McHenry was not killed while reloading
his .38 calibre Smith and Wesson,
and has again called for the state to
follow the rest of Australia and adopt
semi-automatic pistols.
Acting Assistant Commissioner
Lucinda Nolan would not be drawn
on the issue of police firearms,
instead highlighting the bravery of
the members involved.
''You've got to look at the circumstances
they're placed in, it's horrific
for anybody,'' Ms Nolan said.
''I think they acted with exceptional
bravery, and I'm really proud
of them.
''It was a horrific incident as you
can imagine for anybody, she [one of
the rookies] is obviously suffering
from shock, as are our other
members involved.''
She said the gunman fired on two
distinct occasions, firing one shot
and then fleeing, before engaging in
the shootout.
The shots were exchanged from a
distance of 15-20m, she said.
Police Association assistant secretary
Bruce McKenzie said Victoria
was the last state or territory to rely
on the ''antiquated'' Smith and Wessons
that were ''just like John Wayne
used in the Westerns''.
He said Chief Commissioner
Christine Nixon had been reluctant
to update the technology despite the
Victorian Government putting aside
$10million as a pre-election commitment
for semi-automatic pistols
used in other states.
''It's not her that's out in the
middle of the night trying to deal
with violent criminals,'' Inspector
McKenzie said.
''In the event that modern firepower
is required, it's a life and death
situation, as was the case last night.''
Victorian Premier John Brumby
said it appeared the police involved
had acted appropriately.
''I'm pleased to say that the police
officer who was injured was operated
on in hospital and his condition is
stable, I understand he will make a
full recovery so I'm delighted that's
the case,'' he said.
''The suspects and the individual
who was shot were well-known to
police, I understand, and of course
there will be a coronial inquiry and
there will be an inquiry with the
police ethical standards division, so
all of these matters will be looked at.
''The individuals concerned were
carrying a number of firearms, and
the police have done their job.''
The other two men involved, aged
20 and 21, were questioned by police
and released without charge yesterday.
They are expected to face court
on summons at a later date.
Victoria was notorious for fatal
police shootings late last century,
with police killing 23 people from
1988 to 1995 and Amnesty International
issued a damning report
against Victoria Police. The worst
year was 1994, when nine people
were killed, sparking an overhaul of
firearms training.