Man charged with murder over alleged random knife attack at Cairns Central shopping centre

Police have charged a man with the alleged random stabbing murder of a 51-one-year-old man at a Cairns shopping centre.

A man has been charged with the alleged ‘chance’ stabbing murder of a 51-year-old at a Cairns Shopping Centre.

Police on Wednesday were called to the Cairns Central Shopping centre just after 8am on to find a man on the ground floor with “blood everywhere” and fatal wounds to his throat.

A 38-year old – who police are yet to identify – was found nearby and taken into custody.

He was later charged with murder.

Police inside the Cairns Central shopping centre after Wednesday’s alleged attack. Picture: Queensland Police

Detective Inspector Kevin Goan said initial investigations suggested the two men did not appear to know each other.

“Our immediate information is that it appears to have been a chance happening,” he said.

“As you’d imagine with a stabbing incident, there’s an amount of blood everywhere.

“That’s about all I can say at this time.”

The accused will appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court today.

Insp Goan said the victim was known within the shopping centre as a “nice gentleman”.

“The dealings that he has had with proprietors within the centre has been very positive,” he said.

“He readily engages with others and is described as a fairly laid back, easygoing, nice gentleman.”