By Brendan Rees
A security guard from Hampton Park has spoken for the first time after being stabbed in the neck during the Melbourne CBD terror incident on Friday 9 November.
SECUREcorp Security Officer Shadi, 26, who asked not to publish his surname, was working at the City Village building at 225 Bourke Street when the terror attack unfolded about 4.10pm.
He says “out of nowhere” he saw a car on fire, as he was standing at the steps of the building.
“I thought that innocent people in the vehicle. I tried to go to assist then I realised that, I don’t know what was going on.
“The attacker was on the loose; he was stabbing people for no reason.
“There was a loud explosion; everyone was screaming, running and then, out of nowhere got attacked,” he said.
Shadi, who has worked for City of Melbourne for 18 months, says he “didn’t even have time to react” when he was confronted by the attacker, Hassan Khalif Shire Ali, 30.
“He straight away stabbed me; tried to kill me, he hit me in the neck.
“I tried to fend the attacker off, but I couldn’t defend myself; there was too much blood.”
Shadi ran while he couldn’t see out of his left eye, with Shire Ali giving chase. At this moment, Shadi was hit in the back of the head with the knife.
“I just had to get out of there. If I stayed there; different story.
“I’m very lucky to be alive that’s all I can say,” he said.
Shadi was taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital with non-life threatening injuries and discharged on Sunday 11 November.
“The police officer, I don’t know his name but he was there with me, holding my neck throughout the journey until we got to the Royal Melbourne.”
He has been recovering at home with the support of family. “Mum went crazy over the phone, starting crying.”
Despite the ordeal, Shadi says it’s made him more determine to apply as a police officer.
Lord Mayor Sally Capp praised the bravery of Shadi, saying he would be nominated for a bravery award.
“Despite his own injuries he put his life on the line to help and protect others during this terrifying and tragic event,” she said.
The stabbing incident in the CBD left one person dead and is being treated as terror related.
“Police shot the 30-year-old and he was taken to hospital in a critical condition but he has since died,” a Victoria Police spokesperson said.
SECUREcorp management thanked the first responders and fellow security guards who worked quickly to respond to the attack.
Counter Terrorism Command in conjunction with the Homicide Squad are investigating.
