Gabriel Messo shot dead by police after frenzied stabbing attack in Gladstone Park
A manic son shot dead by police when caught stabbing his mother in a frenzied attack was arrested a day earlier over another assault — hours before claiming he was “not a mad man”.
Police & Courts
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A crazed son shot dead by police when caught stabbing his mother in a frenzied attack was arrested and released by police a day earlier over another assault.
The Herald Sun can reveal Gabriel Messo, 31, was charged with seven offences including unlawful assault and intentionally damaging property by members of the Fawkner Family Violence Investigation Unit on Wednesday.
It is unclear who the victim of that offending was.
But Mr Messo was released to appear at Broadmeadows Magistrates Court on Monday.
The charges were filed with the court on Thursday – the same day he was shot dead by police at John Coutts Reserve in Gladstone Park.
His mother, Lilla Messo, 54, remains fighting for life in hospital.
It came just hours before Messo ranted about religion and that he was not a “mad man” the day before he stabbed his mum near to death in a park opposite his home.
He was shot dead by police after the frenzied stabbing attack at John Coutts Reserve in Gladstone Park on Thursday afternoon.
Mr Messo’s housemate said he was so violent and unpredictable he had to lock his door at night.
The day before the stabbing Mr Messo posted on Instagram “Not a mad man. Sick from love” and that “forgiveness is for all … waiting for police to show up. Not sick at all. I take full responsibility for my actions”.
He also wrote “only pure light and love from Christ my saviour can save us all”.
Mr Messo moved into the Katrina Drive home three weeks earlier after responding to a Gumtree advertisement.
His housemate Silvester, 63, said he was always “angry” but that his mum loved him and paid his rent.
“His mother was always coming here. Bringing food, washing his clothes,” Silvester said.
“I feel sorry for her … she is a really nice lady.
“I don’t think anyone could have saved her from him.”
Mr Messo was renting from the Panagoda family, who live next door and often heard him screaming.
Ayasa Panagoda said Mr Messo was religious and asked if he could burn a candle in his room.
“A couple of times I saw the mum and him sitting on the bench (in the park). Before she left they hugged,” said Ayasa Panagoda.
“She would come three or four times during the week.”
Ms Messo, who lives in Tullamarine, was on Friday night fighting for her life at the Royal Melbourne Hospital.
Her son refused to stop stabbing her even after a police officer pulled his gun on him.
Mr Messo was dead 30 seconds later after being shot several times in front of shocked bystanders.
Other locals are hurting over this latest case of family violence.
One woman tied white ribbons at the entrance to the park where Ms Messo was attacked.
She doesn’t know Ms Messo but hoped she would pull through.
The Messo family declined to comment when approached by the Herald Sun.
A family member said they wanted to give police “every opportunity to conduct a thorough investigation” into the incident.
The State Coroner will oversee an investigation.
Assistant Commissioner Luke Cornelius said police involved were “terribly shaken up” over the “tragic event” and he had been assured officers had acted appropriately.
“Our members called upon the individual who was assaulting the female to stop, he refused to do so,” he said.
“A lot happens in 30 seconds, including time to issue a warning, time to give a person to do what they are being asked. If those warnings aren’t being complied with in attacking another individual, of course police have to take action.
“They have been decisive, they have acted in a way to keep the community safe and stop what was a frenzied attack from continuing.
“My heart goes out to those members.”
Mr Cornelius revealed Mr Messo was “known to police” but he did not have a criminal record. “Police have sought to assist him in the past,” he said.
“We have had recent contact with him but there was nothing in that contact that indicated to us the events of today might have occurred.”
Eyewitness Blake, who did not wish to reveal his surname, saw the aftermath of the incident and said it was a “chaotic” scene in an otherwise quiet neighbourhood.
“I’ve never seen anything like it, it looked like a war zone,” he said.
Professional Standards Command will oversee the investigation led by the homicide squad.
Mr Messo had recently been in contact with police but did not have a criminal record.
Why he so ferociously turned on his mother will form part of the police investigation.
It is the second police shooting in a matter of months, after a knife-wielding man was shot dead by police on the Monash Freeway on May 28.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.