A 35-year-old man is expected to be charged by ACT Policing with one count of murder and two counts of attempted murder in relation to an incident on Braine Street, Page last Saturday 20 February.
The man, who ABC News has named as Wajid Kakar, faced the ACT Magistrates Court today from hospital with representation in the courthouse.
Police charged him with murdering his 34-year-old housemate Michael Williams and the attempted murder of a 28-year-old man and a 20-year-old woman.
ACT Policing Criminal Investigations Detective Superintendent Scott Moller said they are “very confident we’ve got enough evidence” on the back of a thorough five-day examination of the crime scene that was completed yesterday and interviews “a multitude” of witnesses.
“We wanted to make sure from the examination of the crime scene that we had all of the available evidence,” he said.
Police believe the offender used at least two knives in the initial attack.
Mr Kakar, along with the two other survivors, are still in custody and still in hospital, having all undergone surgery.
“There are still two victims to speak to in hospital, but we’ve spoken to many, many witnesses about this incident.
“It comes down to their medical condition … at this stage they are still recovering, and I believe that will take some time.”
Detective Superintendent Moller said the Page house in which the alleged murder and attempted murders occurred was a share house where the two male victims and the offender resided.
The 20-year-old female involved was visiting the dwelling at the time.
Even with the murder charge being laid, investigators wish to speak to a cyclist who, according to witnesses, was riding along the footpath near the house at around 8.50am wearing cyclist style clothing.
Witnesses have informed police a man ran out of a house in Braine Street, yelling at the cyclist in question. (Update: Police advised at 5.39pm Thursday 25 February that the cyclist has contacted them.)
Detective Superintendent Moller earlier this week described the Page death as a “tragic” incident for those involved and the community.
“It was a terrible scene, there was a lot of blood and for the responding police and paramedics that went there, it was terrible.
“Everybody in the community is traumatised by it, it’s a tragic situation. We’ve got a man that’s dead and we’ve got some people with really horrific injuries.
“It is unusual. It’s an unusual set of circumstances.”
Detective Superintendent Moller said police who responded to the call arrived to an “unpredictable and very dangerous” scene.
“They were confronted by an armed offender who they were able to disarm and arrest and transport to hospital,” he said.
“The community again in the ACT … were the ones who contacted police. This is the type of cooperation police need to be able to do their jobs properly.
“The community has helped us, and we were able to get to the incident.”
ACT Policing believe illicit drugs were not involved in the incident.
Anyone who may have any information and have not yet spoken to police is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote reference 6737571. Information can be provided anonymously.
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