https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-10/ ... e/10484390
Bourke Street attacker identified as Hassan Khalif Shire Ali as police carry out raids in Melbourne.
The Islamic State-inspired terrorist who carried out yesterday's fatal stabbing in Bourke Street had his passport cancelled due to fears he planned to travel to Syria in 2015, the Australian Federal Police says.
Key points:
Three people were stabbed in the attack; one died on the scene and two are in hospital
Properties in Werribee and Meadow Heights have been raided by police
Authorities said there would be an increased police presence around the Melbourne CBD
Despite being known to hold radical views, Hassan Khalif Shire Ali was not actively monitored and was assessed as not posing a threat to the community.
The revelation came as Victoria Police raided properties in Werribee and Meadow Heights in Melbourne's west and north following yesterday's attack in the CBD, in which Shire Ali was shot dead after taking the life of another man.
The Somali-born Shire Ali, aged 30, crashed his car loaded with gas bottles in the Melbourne CBD and stabbed three people before he was shot by police and died in hospital.
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The ABC understands he is also known as Hassan Ali and Hassan Khalif, and recently moved from his family's Werribee home because of problems with substance abuse.
His family is well-known and respected within the Somali community in the region, and attended the Virgin Mary Mosque in Hoppers Crossing.
It is believed Shire Ali most commonly attended prayer in Melbourne's northern suburbs.
Shire Ali has previously been investigated for his association with others linked to terrorism.
Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton said he believed the suspect moved to Australia from Somalia in 1990s, and that his family members had been known to police on terrorism-related matters.
Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for the attack and police confirmed this morning that Shire Ali was "inspired" and "radicalised" by IS.
"This individual did hold radical views and his passport was cancelled in 2015, when ASIO assessed he planned to travel to Syria," AFP Assistant Commissioner Ian McCartney said.
"He was never a target of the JCTT [Joint Counter-Terrorism Taskforce] in terms of the investigations we undertake.
"The assessment was made that whilst he had radicalised views, he didn't pose a threat to the national security environment.
"Obviously, the circumstances of how and when he moved from having these radicalised view to carrying out this attack yesterday will be a key focus of the investigation we undertake through the JCTT."
Mr Ashton last night confirmed Shire Ali died in hospital.
One man — Sisto Malaspina, the 74-year-old owner of the iconic Melbourne restaurant Pellegrini's Espresso Bar — died at the scene after being stabbed.
A 26-year-old man and a 58-year-old man are both in a stable condition in Royal Melbourne Hospital following surgery for lacerations.
Toxicology results for Shire Ali are expected in the next few days.