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The Bourke Street massacre: How Gargasoulas's crime rampage unfolded


The horrific events on January 20, 2017, in the centre of Melbourne city brought Australia to a standstill.

One man behind the wheel of a car ended the lives of six people and injured dozens more after mowing down pedestrians on Bourke Street during the lunchtime rush.

Today, James Gargasoulas was given a life sentence for each count of murder, meaning he won’t be eligible for parole for at least 46 years.

The sentence gives some closure to families whose lives were destroyed by the events of that terrifying day in 2017.

So how did Gargasoulas’s crimes unfold?

James Gargasoulas has been jailed for at least 46 years for murdering six pedestrians. Source: AAP
James Gargasoulas has been jailed for at least 46 years for murdering six pedestrians. Source: AAP

18 January 2017, 9pm: Gargasoulas confronted his mother’s ex-partner, 76-year-old Gavin Wilson, in his Melbourne home and demanded the keys to his commodore. Mr Wilson said Gargasoulas set a bible on fire before throwing the burning book at his face. Gargasoulas used Mr Wilson’s Holden Commodore in the attack two days later.

20 January 2017, 12.30am: Gargasoulas attended Dogs Bar in St Kilda where he reportedly smashed plates and glasses.

Gargasoulas did a series of burnouts outside Flinders Street Station before turning towards Bourke Street. Source: 7News
Gargasoulas did a series of burnouts outside Flinders Street Station before turning towards Bourke Street. Source: 7News

2.15am: He returned to his mother’s home in Windsor, where he got into an altercation with his brother Angelo. Angelo suffered multiple stab wounds and spends nine days in hospital.

8.04am: Gargasoulas appears in the background of a news report that was covering the stabbing from the night before. He was ranting and swearing and waving his hat out of the window, driving the maroon Holden he had stolen several days before.

11.45am: Police pursued the Commodore at Yarraville, west of the city, but aborted the chase over safety concerns. The car was observed driving erractically and dangerously.

Those who survived were left with broken bones, cuts, and brain injuries, with most requiring extensive rehabilitation. Source: 7 News
Those who survived were left with broken bones, cuts, and brain injuries, with most requiring extensive rehabilitation. Source: 7 News

1.30pm: Gargasoulas begins performing burnouts outside Flinders Street Station. A number of people call police. Many film the man’s bizarre actions.

1.32pm: Minutes later, the car turns up Swanston Street and mounts the footpath. Pedestrians were forced to jump out of the way.

1.35pm: Gargasoulas turns on the Bourke Street Mall, a pedestrian mall that is closed to cars. Police believe he deliberately targeted pedestrians. After a short pursuit, police rammed the Commodore and Gargaoulas was shot in the arm. He was pulled from the vehicle and arrested.

Gargasoulas is held down by police after mowing down pedestrians in the mall. Source: AP
Gargasoulas is held down by police after mowing down pedestrians in the mall. Source: AP
The youngest victim was three-month-old Zachary Bryant. Source: AAP
The youngest victim was three-month-old Zachary Bryant. Source: AAP

In just over a minute, six people – including a three-month-old baby – were killed in the attack.

More than two dozen others were injured, with those who survived left with broken bones, cuts and brain injuries.

Six lives cut tragically short

Of the six people who died, Yosuke Kanno was walking with a friend, while Jess Mudie had left a business meeting to eat with colleagues.

Matthew Si had just unknowingly shared his last meal with his wife. Bhativa Patel was walking back from lunch with work mates.

Thalia, 10, was off to see a magic show with her family, and the youngest victim, three-month-old Zachary Bryant, was in a pram after a trip to the Melbourne Museum with his family.

The six victims of the Bourke Street attack. Source: 7News
The six victims of the Bourke Street attack. Source: 7News