A man seen carrying a gun days after the Bourke Street massacre to be charged

A MAN seen walking though Bourke Street mall just days after the massacre dressed in a tactical vest with a gun strapped to his thigh is expected to be charged.

The armed man was pictured patrolling near the flower memorial in Bourke St days after the massacre, during which six people died and 37 were injured. Picture: Getty Images

A MAN seen carrying a semi-automatic gun through Bourke Street mall days after a car ploughed through pedestrians killing six people and injuring dozens more is expected to be charged.

Despite being on high alert after Dimitrious Gargasoulas, 27, allegedly drove his car at pedestrians on January 20 — it is reported that the armed man was allowed to go about his business unchecked.

The man, wearing black commando gear and with a gun strapped to his thigh, wandered through the mall where mourners gathered to pay tribute to those lost and injured.

Victoria Police spokeswoman Leonie Johnson said police had since interviewed the man, who was working as an unlicensed security contractor, and was expected to be charged on summons for possessing a firearm without a licence.

She said the private security business he worked for has also had their security business licence and corporate firearm licence suspended pending further investigation.

An unlicensed security contractor seen carrying a gun through Bourke Street Mall just days after a car ploughed through pedestrians killing six and injuring dozens more is expected to be charged. Picture: Getty Images

“The company in question was the holder of corporate firearm licence and private security business licence. Both of these licences have been suspended,” Ms Johnson said in a statement.

“As investigations are still ongoing we are unable to provide any further comment at this time.”

Police are refusing to name the security company, who engaged them or why the man was in the mall.

The Herald Sun has contacted shops in the mall, as well as the City of Melbourne, asking them whether they had hired the now suspended security contractor.

A City of Melbourne spokesman refused to confirm whether the council had hired private security to monitor the mall following the tragedy.

“As the matter is currently being investigated by Victoria Police, it would be inappropriate for us to provide comment,” the spokesman said.

Mourners gather at the Bourke Street memorial, where an unlicensed security guard was seen carrying a gun he didn’t have a licence for. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Among those killed during the incident were Bhavita Patel, 33, Matthew Si, 33, Jess Mudie 22, 10-year-old Thalia Hakin, three-month-old Zachary Bryant and a 25-year-old Japanese man who was understood to have been in Australia for about a year and studying in Melbourne.

Gargasoulas has been charged with five counts of murder over the rampage and is expected to be charged over the death of a sixth victim.

He is accused of deliberately driving a car into pedestrians before crashing after police shot him.

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