Broadmeadows Melbourne Shooting Leaves Sleeping Residents Terrified After Gunman Unleashes Machine Gun Rounds
BROADMEADOWS, Melbourne — Residents inside the targeted homes were thrust into a night of fear and disbelief after a man armed with a machine gun unleashed a barrage of bullets into two properties during the early hours, prompting an urgent and ongoing police investigation. The quiet streets of Melbourne’s north, usually still and uneventful at that hour, were jolted awake by rapid bursts of gunfire that tore through walls, windows, and the sense of safety long held by families living there.
The incident occurred just after midnight, when multiple emergency calls were made reporting the unmistakable sound of automatic gunfire echoing across the neighborhood. As officers rushed to the scene, they found two homes struck numerous times, with bullet holes marking bedrooms, hallways, and exterior walls. Inside each house, residents had been asleep moments before, unaware that danger was seconds from erupting outside their doors. Miraculously, no physical injuries were reported, though the emotional impact quickly became evident through shaken voices and trembling statements given to investigators.
Detectives believe the gunman approached the properties on foot or possibly from a nearby vehicle, using the cover of darkness to avoid detection. The machine gun used in the attack fired dozens of rounds within seconds, leaving a scattered trail of damage that investigators spent hours mapping and documenting. The forensic team recovered multiple shell casings from the roadway and front yards, each piece of evidence helping to clarify the type of weapon and the direction of the shooter’s movements.
Neighbors described waking to the horrifying sound of rapid-fire shots, followed by terrified screams and frantic calls for help. Many remained hidden inside their homes until officers arrived, unsure whether the gunman was still nearby or if additional shots might ring out. One longtime Broadmeadows resident said the sound “didn’t feel real,” comparing it to something out of a crime film rather than a suburban street lined with family homes.
Police have not yet identified a motive for the attack, though investigators are exploring connections between the targeted properties and potential criminal disputes. Officers are also reviewing CCTV footage from surrounding streets, hoping that cameras caught the shooter’s movements or vehicle before or after the incident. Patrols in the area have been increased while detectives continue interviewing witnesses and analyzing evidence.
The families inside the two homes were relocated temporarily while authorities ensured the buildings were safe. Support services were offered to assist them in coping with the trauma, with counselors noting that incidents involving sleeping occupants often leave lasting psychological effects, especially on children.
Authorities emphasized that such high-powered weapons pose extreme danger not only to intended targets but to entire communities. As the investigation progresses, police are urging anyone with information to come forward, stressing that even small details could be crucial.
For Broadmeadows, a community proud of its resilience, the night’s events left many unsettled but determined to support one another while waiting for answers.