Review into visit by Kirkstall gunman Travis Cashmore to police before double killing
A visit to police by Travis Cashmore two days before he murdered a local crime figure and his mate — and then took his own life — is being probed.
Police & Courts
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Kirkstall gunman Travis Cashmore went to police two days before he shot dead two men and took his own life.
Cashmore’s visit — which is being internally reviewed — came before he murdered local crime figure Kevin Knowles and his mate Benjamin Ray on July 22.
Cashmore had contacted police after being angered at Knowles intimidating the family of one of his friends.
It has been alleged Knowles — also known as Kevin Doherty — had been in breach of intervention orders.
A Coronial directions hearing was on Monday told Cashmore visited Koroit police station on July 20 but was told the friend would need to make the complaint in person.
Cashmore then left, but reportedly made his frustration clear before doing so.
“Leave your gun on the counter and I’ll take care of him,” the Daily Mail reported him as saying before he left.
Two days later, Cashmore ambushed Knowles and Mr Ray as they walked beside a road and shot them dead, before returning to his home and taking his own life.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman confirmed the matter was being reviewed.
“As per standard procedure, an independent review of the 45-year old deceased man’s interaction and involvement with police is currently being conducted,” she said.
“The review is ongoing with oversight by Professional Standards Command.”
Knowles had 50 pages of prior offences and there was widespread fear and dislike of him in the local community.
He was a suspect in the 2016 death of Warrnambool man Steve Johnston, who died after a brutal assault.
The death two years later of Amanda Bourke, the partner of Knowles, was viewed with suspicion.
Ms Bourke was the only witness in the Johnson death and drowned while swimming with Knowles at an isolated beach.
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