A young man has been stabbed to death during a late-night mass brawl in a busy clubbing precinct in Melbourne. The 30-year-old man from Mickleham was stabbed during an altercation on Chapel St, Prahran, around 1:30am on Sunday, April 20, 2025. He was taken to hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Detective Acting Inspector Chris Ellway said police believe there were up to six people involved in the fight, which started at one end of the street and worked its way down to the site of the fatal assault. “He has had a number of wounds inflicted and they appear at this stage to be from a sharp instrument,” Ellway said. “A bottle was part of the assault, but whether that was what inflicted any of the injuries, we aren’t sure.”
The horror attack occurred while the area was bustling with revellers enjoying the long Easter weekend. “It is concerning for anyone,” Ellway noted. “No one wants to see violence when they come for a good night out with their friends and family. The public should be just as shocked as us to see all of this.”
On Sunday morning, police were seen putting a gun they found at the scene into a brown paper bag as evidence. It remains unclear if the gun is related to the stabbing. No arrests have been made, and homicide detectives are currently investigating the incident.
Chapel St is closed between High St and Greville St, and motorists are advised to consider Punt Rd as an alternative route. Anyone with information is urged to contact police.
Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with many people out enjoying the nightlife when the brawl erupted. “There was a lot of vehicle traffic as well, so any dashcam footage could be helpful,” Ellway said. He emphasized the importance of public cooperation in solving this case.
Chapel St, once a glamorous shopping destination, has become increasingly associated with violence and crime. This incident adds to a troubling trend of late-night altercations in the area. “We’ll be seeking the cooperation from the venues all along here and looking at CCTV,” Ellway stated.
In an unrelated incident, a woman in her 40s was critically injured following an assault in Barwon Heads, near Geelong, just before 11pm on Saturday, April 19, 2025. She was flown to the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne with life-threatening injuries. A 55-year-old man was also taken to hospital under police guard for treatment of injuries and is now in custody.
As investigations continue, police are urging anyone who witnessed either incident or who has relevant footage to come forward. The community is left shaken by the violence, as many had gathered to enjoy the holiday weekend.
Acting Inspector Ellway reiterated the need for public assistance: “We hope they come forward and give us as much information as they can.” The police are committed to ensuring that those responsible are held accountable, and they are working diligently to piece together the events that led to the tragic loss of life on Chapel St.
As the investigation unfolds, the local community is left grappling with the implications of this violence, highlighting the need for increased safety measures in nightlife areas. “It’s concerning for anyone,” Ellway remarked. “No one wants to see violence when they come for a night out with their friends and family.”
In the meantime, forensic investigators remain on the scene, collecting evidence and piecing together the moments that led to the stabbing. The police have set up a crime scene around the area, and the investigation is ongoing. They are particularly interested in any information regarding the group of individuals involved in the altercation, as well as the circumstances that led to the violent outburst.
Chapel St, a well-known nightlife hub, is expected to remain closed for an extended period while police conduct their inquiries. The tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers that can arise in busy nightlife areas, particularly during holiday weekends when crowds are larger than usual.
In summary, the stabbing on Chapel St is a tragic event that has left the community shocked and mourning. With no arrests made yet, the police are working hard to gather evidence and witness statements to bring those responsible to justice. The community is encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to help prevent further incidents of violence.
