2018 Bourke Street attack: Victims sue Victorian Government

Families of victims killed and injured in the Bourke Street terror attack are seeking damages as they battle the heartbreaking impact it had on their lives.

Nearly five years have passed since Hassan Khalif Shire Ali went on a 19-second rampage in Melbourne’s CBD, stabbing to death the much-loved co-owner of Pellegrini’s Expresso bar, Sisto Malaspina, 74, in November 2018.

Retired firefighter Rod Patterson, from Tasmania, was stabbed in the head but survived, as did security guard Shadi Helal.

A coroner ruled two years ago that it was a premeditated act of terrorism and that Victoria Police may have missed opportunities to prevent the attack.

Mr Patterson and Mr Malaspina’s grieving family are among those seeking a multi-million dollar settlement from the state of Victoria.

They claimed the attack could have been avoided without the systematic failures of police intelligence.

A coroner ruled two years ago that it was a premeditated act of terrorism and that Victoria Police may have missed opportunities to prevent the attack.

Haunting memories returned earlier this month as families heard about the latest alleged rampage on Bourke Street which led to the tragic death of John Haasz, 76, and injured five others.

The terrifying incident happened just 50 meters from where Mr Patterson was stabbed and left bleeding in the street almost five years earlier.

He always takes things one day at a time.

“There are so many things that trigger it,” Mr. Patterson told the Today show on Monday.

“Just last Friday we’re sitting down to watch the AFL final and the breaking news comes on the TV: 50 yards from where I was stabbed, someone mowed down three people. “

“A lot of things triggered this trauma.”

Mr Patterson suffered a 10cm gash to his face, from ear to eye, and received more than 120 internal and external stitches.

Mr. Malaspina’s son, David, his mother Vwaja and his aunt Giuseppina Cecchini, as well as Mr. Patterson and his wife, Maree, and a relative of Mr. Helal are seeking undisclosed damages for injuries, lost income and of earning capacity, as well as damage resulting from the attack. , according to documents filed with the Supreme Court of Victoria.

This is an escalation of a previous civil action filed in county court in 2021.

“I attended the inquest every day, which was very, very stressful,” Mr Patterson said.

Rod Patterson (pictured recovering with his wife Maree a week after the 2018 Bourke Street attack) is among the victims and their families seeking damages.

The wife, son and sister of beloved cafe owner Sisto Malaspina (pictured) are also seeking damages from the state of Victoria.

“It was obvious from day one to the last that Victorian Police and other agencies were just protecting their asses.” They didn’t want to raise their hands and say, “We made a mistake.”

“A coronary investigation is above all a question of learning. You can’t learn from your mistakes unless you own them.

The complaint alleges counterterrorism units failed to share information, including Shire Ali’s address.

He also alleges Authorities failed to adequately respond to Shire Ali’s escalating acts of violence by failing to arrest him on outstanding warrants in the weeks leading up to the Bourke Street attack.

Shire Ali was shot dead by police following the stabbing spree.

“On October 3, this man should have been put in jail, but he got bail at the curb,” Mr Patterson told the Today show.

“They couldn’t find his address. They had helicopters in the air trying to find him when all they had to do was spend 50p and call ASIO, who had his address.

“On November 2, they planned to arrest him on November 10, eight days after the plan. This happened on November 9, the day before his arrest.

“So there’s a lot to learn from this, but like I said before, you’ll only learn if you own up to your mistakes.”

David Malaspina is still suffering nearly five years after his father was stabbed to death. He is pictured speaking at his father’s state funeral in November 2018.

Bourke Street stabbing victim Rod Patterson (pictured speaking to the Today program on Monday) believes the attack could have been avoided without the systematic failures of police intelligence.

Mr Malaspina’s son David took over the Expresso Pellegrini bar after the tragic death of his father, who was given a state funeral.

He still suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and had to leave the restaurant while working on the night of the latest alleged attack on Bourke Street.

He now hopes to reach a conclusion.

“I have to go through this again. People can’t understand, but it’s like I’m reliving it every day,” David said. Age.

“I want this done; I want to be able to continue my life. We want to have our day in court and we want (the police) to be exposed to what happened. We want people to be held accountable and we want to fix the broken system.

“A teacher, a father, the grandfather of my children… You cannot replace what I have lost. You have no idea what I’m going through. I’m going to need help later with my PTSD because no one I know has experienced this.

Hassan Khalif Shire Ali stabbed three people before being shot dead by police. Pictured is one of the victims being treated by paramedics

Victoria Police confirmed they were aware of the civil proceedings.

“What happened that day was an absolute tragedy and has had a lasting impact on all Victorians, including Sisto’s loved ones,” a spokeswoman said.

“In view of the commencement of civil proceedings, Victoria Police will make no further comment.”

Coroner John Cain ruled in 2021 that while one man’s actions that day were intended to intimidate and harm, the actions of many others who intervened demonstrated the opposite result.

He praised Mr Patterson and other bystanders, including two off-duty police officers, who acted with real courage and without regard for the consequences for themselves.

The Bourke Street terrorist attack in November 2018 sparked a wave of tributes to Sisto Malaspina, co-owner of Pellegrini’s Espresso Bar (pictured)