By Marta Pascual Juanola, Cameron Houston and Ashleigh McMillan
A man stabbed to death during a brawl on Chapel Street in the early hours of Sunday has been identified as 30-year-old father Ruka Carlson.
A witness described how he and others tried to save Carlson as he was “bleeding everywhere” on the ground near the corner of Chatham Street, which at the time was busy with revellers enjoying the Easter long weekend.
Ruka Carlson, 30, was stabbed to death on Chapel Street on Sunday morning.Credit: Instagram
Abz Al, 31, was on a night out in Prahran with friends when he saw a large group of people surrounding Carlson, who was from Mickleham in Melbourne’s north.
“The guy was on the ground, bleeding everywhere, so we tried to help,” he said.
“I was really worried because the guy was bleeding badly ... we took his top off to see where he was bleeding from so we could put pressure on it.”
Emergency services arrived just after 1.30am.
Police said the victim had been in a fight involving up to six men outside a licensed venue before he was chased and stabbed several times. He was treated by paramedics but died before he reached hospital.
Nightclub industry sources speaking on the condition of anonymity said an altercation with a gun involving Carlson and other patrons broke out at Love Machine before the 30-year-old was chased along Chapel Street and stabbed. The weapon may have been a bottle, according to the sources.
Love Machine was the scene of a fatal drive-by shooting in 2019, when Jacob Elliott – son of late crime boss Nabil Maghnie – fired shots outside the nightclub, killing two people and injuring three others. Elliott was handed a life sentence in 2022 over the attack.
Al said he saw the group of men involved in Sunday’s stabbing run along Chapel Street towards Commercial Road afterwards.
Abz Al said he and others tried to help Carlson as he was bleeding on the ground.Credit: Chris Hopkins
“They should be in jail. They should get locked up because you can’t kill someone, take someone’s life in the middle of the street,” he said.
Tributes for Carlson began to flow on social media on Sunday afternoon.
“RIP my brother,” one tribute shared online read.
“You made a lasting impact on me, I love you.”
Carlson was stabbed outside a licensed venue after being chased by a group of men. Police said he was known to them.Credit: Instagram
Police are yet to arrest anyone over the killing.
Images of Carlson shared on social media show the heavily tattooed 30-year-old cuddling his children, posing with his partner in traditional Maori dress, and sitting with a friend at a venue on Chapel Street just two days before the stabbing.
Detective Acting Inspector Chris Ellway said the victim was known to police, but it was not yet clear if he had any affiliations with organised crime or gangs.
Carlson had been due to appear in Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court next month, according to court records.
Forensic police combed the scene.Credit: Chris Hopkins
“I don’t think it was a random attack … but we’re still trying to work out what the circumstances are,” Ellway said at a press conference on Sunday morning.
Forensic investigators at the scene were seen removing a glass bottle, which police believe was used in the attack. It is unknown whether it was the source of the fatal stab wounds.
Police also seized what looked to be a firearm, which Ellway said was still being analysed to determine whether it was genuine or an imitation.
It took police some time to tape off the crime scene due to the sheer number of people on the street.
Police officers on Chapel Street on Sunday morning.Credit: Chris Hopkins
“No one wants to see violence when they come out for a good night out with their friends and family,” Ellway said. “It was a busy time, there was a lot of people walking, and cars driving up and down the street … Police had some difficulties trying to contain what is quite a large scene on a busy street.”
Spatters of blood could be seen on the road as forensic investigators combed the scene.
Anyone who witnessed the incident, has CCTV/dashcam footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
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