Reservoir siege: Two people allegedly stabbed at Willoughby St address

A man who allegedly stabbed his mum and brother in Reservoir has refused to attend court, only showing his face once told no family members were present.

A man accused of murdering his brother and attempting to kill his mother has told his lawyers he is “concerned” about the attention his alleged crimes have garnered.

Shaun Sanderson, 32, fronted Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday afternoon but had initially refused to be brought up to the courtroom.

The man was charged with murder and attempted murder early on Thursday morning after an alleged stabbing attack in Reservoir which left his brother, Rileigh Sanderson, dead and his mother, Catherine Sanderson, seriously injured.

He was arrested at 2.40pm on Wednesday at Preston following an hours-long manhunt.

Defence lawyer Jonathan Brancato told the court his client had been refusing to attend court physically because he is “quite concerned about the attention that this matter has already garnered”.

But Magistrate Olivia Trumble replied “he needs to come up” and noted the seriousness of the charges.

Police swoop to arrest Shaun Sanderson, 32, after an hours-long manhunt. Picture: Nine News

Fifteen minutes later, the accused attended the filing hearing, once it was confirmed to him that no one from his family was present in the courtroom.

Mr Brancato told the court his client would need to be tended to by a custody nurse, as he has a history of psychosis and potentially a diagnosis of schizophrenia.

“He also has some scratches and cuts on his nose and face,” he said.

No application for bail was made.

Mr Sanderson was remanded in custody and will return to court on July 13 for a committal case conference.

It comes after heavily armed police were called to a property on Willoughby St where they spoke to a man over a megaphone who they believed was in the house.

However, he had left the property, sparking the manhunt.

Police block off Willoughby St after the fatal stabbing on Wednesday, March 8.

A 29-year-old man was allegedly stabbed at the property before he made his way to the nearby Reservoir Private Hospital about 8.20am. Paramedics were called to treat the man but he died at the scene.

A 65-year-old woman with upper body injuries was taken to Royal Melbourne Hospital in a serious condition.

A local resident said he had seen between 30 and 40 police on scene just after 8am.

Forensic police at the crime scene in Reservoir.

A person at the hospital told the Herald Sun: “I don’t know the whole story, all I can say is someone passed (away).”

Pam Egan, an 82-year-old resident of Willoughby St, said she believed the dead man was the son of a family who lived nearby and the injured woman was his mother.

“I heard she ran across the road to the hospital with blood all over her,” Ms Egan said.

“I’ve spoken to (the family) before going on walks.

“They are a hardworking family …. They’re builders, lovely and always friendly.”

People arriving at the medical facility for scheduled appointments were turned away.

An elderly woman who was inside the hospital at the time of the incident said she didn’t see anything but heard a woman running.

32YO Shaun Sanderson has been taken into custody. He was arrested on the corner of Murray and St Georges Rd in Preston about 10m ago. Police seized wads of cash. He has a gash to his cheek and no shoes on. @9NewsMelbpic.twitter.com/eXZtt58xLe

— Lana Murphy (@LanaMurphy) March 8, 2023

“I didn’t see anything but I heard a woman running up and down,” she said.

A section of the hospital, located on the opposite side of the street nearby, had been taped off.

Residents of Willoughby St said the area was normally a “quiet and nice” street.

“We heard the sirens this morning, my neighbour said it happened in the (hospital) car park,” one woman said.

Police have released two images of Shaun Sanderson, who they are are searching for in relation to the stabbing incident.