MELBOURNE — 1987 · Murder

The Hoddle Street Massacre

SolvedSources: ALast updated: 14 October 2026

On the evening of Sunday 9 August 1987 in Melbourne's Clifton Hill, a 19-year-old former army officer cadet opened fire on passing vehicles and pedestrians on Hoddle Street. The attack killed 7 people and seriously injured 19. After a police chase lasting more than 30 minutes he was caught in nearby Fitzroy North. He was sentenced to seven concurrent life terms with a 27-year non-parole period. Shortly before he became eligible for parole in 2014, the Victorian government amended the law to effectively block his release. Together with the Queen Street massacre a few months later, Hoddle Street was one of the events that launched Australia's gun-law debate.

Date
1987
Place
Clifton Hill, Victoria, Australia, Melbourne, AU
Category
Murder
Case Status
Solved
Coordinates
-37.7890, 144.9880 ↗

Timeline of Events

  1. 9 August 1987Shooting on Hoddle Street; 7 died and 19 were injured.
  2. 9 August 1987The gunman was caught in Fitzroy North after a police chase.
  1. LaterHe was sentenced to seven life terms with a 27-year non-parole period.
  2. 2014The Victorian government changed the law to block his parole.

Sources

Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.

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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.