Protest plans after 35-year-old Abdifatah Ahmed shot dead by police in Footscray

Police have backed officers’ moves to shoot dead a knife-wielding refugee, but outraged residents are demanding action following the “friendly” refugee’s death.

Calls are mounting for officers to face charges after they shot dead a “friendly” refugee with mental illness who lunged at them with a knife.

Two officers gunned down a knife-wielding Abdifatah Ahmed, 35, on Thursday night after he allegedly ignored orders to drop his weapon.

Police say Mr Ahmed charged at the officers near the Metro West mall on Albert St in Footscray about 9pm, forcing them to open fire.

Mr Ahmed, a Somali refugee of no fixed address, who suffered from poor mental health, died at the scene.

“They murdered him,” Somali community advocate Ibrahim Abdulahi Ali told the Herald Sun.

“He had a knife and then they approached him with guns.”

Witnesses had described the move to open fire on Mr Ahmed as “senseless”, but Victoria Police Commander Tim Tully backed the two officers, saying their actions had his “full support”.

Some questioned whether Mr Ahmed’s life could have been saved if they had disarmed him by using pepper spray.

Residents have demanded that Victoria Police fast-track its $214m taser rollout after it was revealed that the officers involved were not equipped with the device.

35-year-old Somali refugee Abdifatah Ahmed was shot dead by police in Footscray on Thursday. Picture: Supplied

Community advocates are calling for action against the officers involved in the shooting.

But Detective Acting Inspector Chris Ellway on Sunday said police had no plans to bring forward the September timeline.

Mr Abdulahi Ali said the members who shot Mr Ahmed should be charged over his death.

“We’re calling for justice. We’re calling for police accountability,” he said.

It is understood that Mr Ahmed had previously lived in Perth and has several siblings living in Australia who have been devastated by his death.

He has been remembered as a kind, funny man who was well-known among Footscray residents.

“I often shared lunch at the Turkish kebab (shop with him),” African community leader Berhan Ahmed said.

“He lived with mental health challenges, but he was always calm and peaceful.

“He had a warm, fun‑loving spirit and a quick sense of humour that brightened everyone’s day.

“He never showed any hint of violence, instead, he’d politely ask passers-by for five dollars to buy a meal.

“Everyone in the mall has been shocked with the news of his loss.”

Police at the scene of the shooting on Thursday night. Picture: Facebook

O at the corner of Albert and Paisley Streets on Friday. Picture: NewsWire/Andrew Henshaw

Graphic footage showed Mr Ahmed lying on a pedestrian crossing as one of the police officers communicated on his radio.

Several others were heard shouting and screaming at police as they attempted to control the scene.

The incident involving Mr Ahmed was the latest of ordeals in which police say they were forced to draw their weapons.

On March 29, officers shot freed NZYQ immigration detainee Masi Ayiik, 33, after he allegedly charged at them with a metal pole.

Police also shot 28-year-old Rebecca Hayes after she allegedly pointed a gun at her boyfriend inside a stolen car after leading police on a pursuit across the southeastern suburbs on April 4.

Those shootings were not fatal, but were being investigated by the force’s Professional Standards Command – which is standard practice when police are involved in a shooting.

Mr Abdulahi Ali said the spate of recent shootings meant the force needed to speed up its rollout of new tasers, which was slated to be completed by September next year.

The police union estimated that just over half of frontline police have been equipped with them so far.

“That is something we would encourage,” Mr Abdulahi Ali said.

People hold a vigil the Metro West plaza on Thursday night, shortly after Mr Ahmed’s death. Picture: Ian Currie

Union secretary Wayne Gatt said on Saturday that the officers who shot Mr Ahmed were not among those who had so far been given the new tasers, which were initially announced under a $214m rollout in 2023.

How many shots were fired into Mr Ahmed, and whether he bought the knife from a nearby supermarket, will form part of the investigation into his death.

The exact nature of his mental health issues remained unclear.

A “peaceful protest” calling for action to be taken against the officers involved, as well as additional community support in the area instead of more police, will be held on Nicholson St in Footscray on Tuesday.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said at the weekend that no further details about the shooting could be provided because it was under investigation.

Originally published as Protest plans after 35-year-old Abdifatah Ahmed shot dead by police in Footscray