Week of bloodshed

Hamish Heard
A week of bloodshed in Geelong’s suburbs has left one man dead, another with stab wounds and a third victim in hospital after a vicious axe attack at Norlane.
Police were yesterday hunting a gang of three masked men who allegedly burst into a Norlane house at 11.20pm on Wednesday before plunging an axe into an occupants chest.
A police spokesperson said one of the alleged offenders was carrying a firearm and another was carrying the axe when they forced their way into the family home in Robin Avenue.
“They made their way into a bedroom where a 21yearold male was sleeping and, holding a firearm to his head, made demands for cash,” the spokesperson said.
“After making off with cash, a scuffle has broken out in the lounge area between one of the offenders and the male’s father.”
The father, aged in his 40s, was hit with the axe before the offenders fled on foot.
The victim was taken to hospital suffering “significant” blood loss. He was listed as stable yesterday.
The home was cordoned off with police tape yesterday, its front yard littered with a bloodstained doona and bloody bandages.
But the attack failed to shock some of the neighbourhood’s residents.
“We’re getting used to this,” one resident said.
“Last week there was someone burning people’s houses down in Alkira (Avenue) and now this,” he said.
“It’s not unusual around here.”
Homicide detectives were also yesterday hunting a suspected murderer after 27yearold Dwayne Sherri collapsed and died in a Thompson milk bar with a stab wound to the chest on Monday night.
The murder followed another stabbing in North Geelong during a casual game of bocce on Saturday.
A 68yearold man allegedly stabbed a 60yearold opponent in the abdomen after a dispute over whose ball was closest to the jack.
Geelong Chief Inspector Wayne Carson said police would crack down on weapons throughout the city.
“In view of the recent violence around the suburbs, police will shortly launch an operation to target persons carrying weapons such as knives around the CBD and in the suburbs,” he said.
Police intelligence had identified people who regularly carried knives around central Geelong, Insp Carson said.
“It’s mainly teenagers hanging around in the mall, so they’ll certainly be the focus of our attention.”
Metal detectors would scan for knives, Insp Carson said.