Tony Di Falco dies in fatal Hillside stabbing incident
Tony Di Falco dies in fatal Hillside stabbing incident
Fatal Hillside stabbing death of Tony Di Falco – Obituary.
In a tragic event in Hillside, Melbourne, a 61-year-old man named Tony Di Falco was fatally stabbed, while his stepson was critically injured in a related police shooting. Di Falco was discovered with multiple stab wounds on the lawn of his home on Chris Court around 6:50 AM on Friday. Despite immediate attempts to revive him with CPR, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
While officers were attending to Di Falco’s injuries, they heard screams emanating from inside the residence. Upon entering, they encountered a 32-year-old man, believed to be Di Falco’s stepson, brandishing a knife. Police Detective Inspector Dean Thomas reported that shots were fired at the stepson, though it remains unclear if he was struck during this initial confrontation.
After retreating from the house, the armed man followed police outside and caused damage to a police vehicle, including slashing a tire. When he again threatened the officers with the knife, they ordered him to drop the weapon. Detective Thomas confirmed that several shots were then fired by the police, resulting in injuries to the man, who subsequently collapsed.
The stepson was taken to The Royal Melbourne Hospital under police supervision and is currently in a critical but stable condition, having suffered injuries to his upper and lower body. The precise number of shots fired is under investigation, as is the overall circumstances surrounding the incident.
Detective Thomas characterized the event as a family violence situation, noting that the alleged attacker had arrived at the home unexpectedly. It is also understood that mental health issues may be a factor, as the stepson has a known history of such problems. Authorities are investigating the possibility that an axe may have been involved in the altercation.
Tony Di Falco’s brother, Nick, shared that his sibling had recently overcome cancer and had plans for a new chapter in his life, including building a home at the beach. “He never got a chance,” Nick lamented. Family members described Tony as the “clown” of their family, someone who brought joy and laughter to those around him. His sister Laura reflected, “He had so much character, full of jokes. We are going to miss that.”
The Armed Crime Squad is tasked with investigating the police shooting, with oversight from the Professional Standards Command. Detective Thomas emphasized the need to thoroughly understand the events leading up to the tragedy and acknowledged the emotional toll it has on all involved, especially the officers responding to such incidents.
Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to reach out to authorities.
Tony Di Falco dies in fatal Hillside stabbing incident Fatal Hillside stabbing death of Tony Di Falco – Obituary. In a tragic event in Hillside, Melbourne, a 61-year-old man named Tony Di Falco was fatally stabbed, while his stepson was critically injured in a related police shooting. Di Falco was discovered with multiple stab wounds…
Tony Di Falco dies in fatal Hillside stabbing incident Fatal Hillside stabbing death of Tony Di Falco – Obituary. In a tragic event in Hillside, Melbourne, a 61-year-old man named Tony Di Falco was fatally stabbed, while his stepson was critically injured in a related police shooting. Di Falco was discovered with multiple stab wounds…