Man arrested after gym knife attack in state’s North
UPDATED: Police have arrested a man after an alleged knife attack in a popular Northern gym yesterday afternoon. LATEST >>
The Launceston News
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LATEST, 11AM: A 45-year-old Launceston man has been arrested following a wounding incident in Kings Meadows yesterday afternoon.
Police and emergency services were called to Zap Fitness on Hobart Rd shortly after 1.15pm, after the man reportedly assaulted a 33-year-old man, causing non-life threatening wounds to his face and hands.
A targeted search for the man commenced immediately, and he was arrested in Kings Meadows shortly before 9am today.
Detective Inspector Kim Steven said this type of incident was extremely rare.
“While it is clearly concerning, we want to reassure people in our community that this is
an exceptionally uncommon event,” he said.
“Police would like to thank members of the public for their assistance.”
“The community’s cooperation allowed us to respond to the matter quickly and in a
targeted manner.”
The man is in custody and is assisting police with their inquiries. At this stage, no charges have been laid.
9AM: A MAN has been arrested in relation to a wounding incident in Launceston yesterday.
He was taken into custody a short time ago without incident.
Police have thanked members of the public for their understanding and cooperation in relation to the matter.
YESTERDAY, 5PM: POLICE have identified and are searching for the suspect in a knife attack at a popular gym at Kings Meadows on Wednesday afternoon.
Police were searching a number of areas around Launceston following the daylight incident inside Zap Fitness on Hobart Rd, which was labelled a “random act of violence”.
Detective Inspector Craig Fox said the male victim was “going about his business” at the gym when he was attacked by a man in his 40s with an edged weapon about 1.15pm.
The victim was transported to Launceston General Hospital with superficial injuries to his hand and face.
“An edged weapon was recovered from the scene,” Det Insp Fox said.
“Early investigations indicate that the two people were not known to each other.
“Police believe the alleged offender left the scene and travelled to the Launceston General Hospital with an injured hand about 2pm. He left without receiving treatment.”
Det Insp Fox said police were following a “very specific” line of inquiry and asked business owners in Kings Meadows to check their CCTV for a man matching the suspect’s description.
The suspect was described as being in his late 40s and about 172cm tall with grey/white receding hair.
Det Insp Fox said he was last seen wearing a light green Everlast T-shirt, “possibly with blood on it”.
He said the public was “very safe”, but should not approach the suspect if they see him.
“The public need to be aware of this gentleman. If anyone does see him, give us a call straight away.
“This is an unprovoked attack. One of the angles that we’ll be looking at is whether this person has some mental health issues that need to be addressed.”
Det Insp Fox said the business aided the victim and called emergency services after the incident and the scene was attended by Ambulance Tasmania, uniform police and Launceston CIB officers.
He said: “The good news is [the victim] is likely to recover from the superficial wounds, but [it was] a very traumatic experience”.
A pedestrian saw the large scale emergency service response and said she knew it must have been serious.
Detectives spoke with witnesses inside the gym and in the area and forensic officers photographed the scene and examined the area for blood on Wednesday afternoon.
EARLIER, 3.15PM:
Detective Inspector Craig Fox has labelled a knife attack on a man inside Zap Fitness at Kings Meadows as a “random act of violence”.
The victim is being treated at the Launceston General Hospital for superficial injuries to his face and hand.
Det Insp Fox said police have identified the man they believe was behind the attack and are searching for him.
He said the suspect presented at the Launceston General Hospital about 2pm and was spoken to briefly before he left the area.
Police are conducting searches in the area of the hospital.
Officers have conducted inquiries at a house of interest in the Launceston area.
Police said the suspect is in his late 40s, he’s described as about 173cm tall, has grey to white receding hair, a grey to white beard, and was last seen wearing a light green Everlast, t-shirt possibly with blood on it.
He would have been in Kings Meadows shortly after 1pm, at the LGH about 2pm and possibly in the CBD shortly after.
EARLIER, 2.40PM:
Detectives and uniform officers area speaking to witnesses inside Zap Fitness on Hobart Rd, Kings Meadows.
One pedestrian said she knew the incident must have been serious by the number of ambulances and police cars on scene, around 1.30pm.
She said there were three ambulances blocking Hobart Rd.
The injured man has been transported to Launceston General Hospital with non life-threatening injuries.
EARLIER: POLICE and emergency services are responding to a report of a wounding incident on Hobart Rd, Kings Meadows.
A man has reportedly been injured by another man.
The alleged offender was believed to be wearing a bright green top.
Police are currently on the scene searching for the alleged offender.
Members of the public are warned not to approach the man but instead contact police on 131 444 or report anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestopperstas.com.au
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