Police hunting killers after two Melbourne stabbings

A young man was hunted down through the streets of Reservoir by a group of men in a sedan before he was stabbed to death in a brutal attack that shocked police.

Police at the scene of a fatal stabbing in Bourke Street in Docklands. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Police are hunting the alleged killers who stabbed two young men in separate attacks over the weekend.

Homicide detectives are investigating fatal stabbings in Reservoir and Docklands, both which occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Victoria Police Detective Superintendent Paul O’Halloran said the incidents were concerning.

“Young people bringing in knives to the city is just crazy, it is going to end tragically,” Supt O’Halloran said.

“We have lost people in the prime of their lives. That is just tragic for a night out they were expecting to celebrate with friends and family.

“If that was your brother, your son, your partner — how would that impact upon you. We don’t want to see these things happening.”

Police on the scene of the crime in Elizabeth St Reservoir. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Police speak to residents in Elizabeth Street. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

He said it was alarming young men were resorting to weapons to resolve differences.

“Any dispute would never justify people being attacked with knives and people losing their lives,” Supt O’Halloran said.

“We can have our differences but that shouldn’t be ending up in knife fights.

“We have got to do something to stop it (knife crime).”

Supt O’Halloran said it was unclear if the spike in knife crime over the weekend was gang related.

“I can’t comment if there is a general gang issue,” he said.

“The incidents we looked at are completely separate. Whether there is gang activities, will be the subject to further investigation.”

Detectives continue to investigate the Reservoir stabbing, which happened about 2.15am on Sunday in Elizabeth Street.

Two cars believed to be involved in the stabbing in Docklands. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Officers believe the victim was at a party with friends in Coburg before an altercation with another group unfolded.

The victim left with friends before he was chased by the second group in a dark sedan.

Police working the case said it was a targeted attack.

“It was a very, very vicious assault,” Supt O’Halloran said.

“They (investigators) were quite shocked at the brutality of the assault which involved a number of stabbings, a number of kicks and punches.”

Homicide squad detectives are also investigating the fatal Docklands stabbing on Harbour Esplanade about 3.15am.

Two brothers from Western Australia, aged 23 and 26, were at the Watermark venue where a dispute unfolded with another group.

“They left the venue and walked toward (their) vehicle where they were set upon by another group of males,” Supt O’Halloran said.

“Knives were produced, both were stabbed and the older male passed away.

“The relationship between the offenders and the deceased is still being established.”

Both investigations remain ongoing.