But Angelo Gargasoulas had a fractured relationship with his brother Dimitrious or "Jimmy" – the 26-year-old who allegedly mowed down dozens of people in the CBD on Friday afternoon and killed at least four people

Earlier in the day in a Windsor public housing unit on Raleigh Street, Jimmy allegedly set upon his brother with a knife.

The young man, who is in his 20s, was allegedly stabbed in the chest and head. He is now fighting for his life.

Angelo's friends said he had a tortured relationship with his brother, who hated the fact that he was gay.

Giuseppe, who became friends with Angelo in 2013 and did not want his surname to be published, said Jimmy refused to accept his brother's sexuality.

"Jimmy never accepted gay people, he was a very homophobic person," he said.

He described his best friend as "outgoing, funny and generous"

"He always had a smile in his face," he said. "He liked to have fun.

Angelo worked in retail – and his Facebook page says he was a former fashion stylist at menswear label Calibre.

Photos uploaded to his page reveal a handsome young man who is always immaculately dressed – think crisp white shirts, loafers and a red blazer.

"He had a passion for fashion," Giuseppe said.

The pair quickly became close friends and often went clubbing on weekends. They frequented The Peel Hotel and Baroq and were often mistaken as brothers.

Friends have flooded Angelo's page to wish him a speedy recovery. "Beautiful angel on earth Angelo, may that sparkle in the person you are ... be one of the driving forces to help heal you physically mentally and emotionally through this dark time," one friend wrote.

Others said they were lost for words.

"So devastated to hear the news. thinking of you, you beautiful soul. if there's anything you've shown me over the years, it's how much strength you possess. Stay strong."

He was rushed to hospital early on Friday in a critical condition and it is understood that he has been placed in an induced coma.

He was at his mother's house, which is between Punt and St Kilda roads, when the alleged attack occurred shortly after 2am.

It followed reports of two men fighting.