WaTimes - Melbourne: Afghan driver rams into Christmas shoppers; 19 injured; "no terrorist link, mental health issues," police say - The West: Like 'Body Snatchers' with Pod People cops

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SYDNEY (AP) — Australian police said there is no evidence of a terrorist link to a car ramming attack Thursday in central Melbourne that left 19 people injured.

Police said the driver was a 32-year-old Australian citizen of Afghan decent who has a history of drug use and mental health issues. The man was known to police for historical minor assault and traffic offenses.

“We don’t at this time have any evidence or any intelligence to indicate there’s a connection with terrorism,” said Victoria state police acting commissioner Shane Patton.

The streets outside the city’s iconic Flinders Street railway station were crowded with Christmas shoppers late Thursday afternoon when a white Suzuki SUV ran a red light and sped up to slam into pedestrians crossing the road before crashing into a traffic barrier. ...

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/dec/21/car-rams-pedestrians-melbourne-14-injured/?utm_source=onesignal&utm_campaign=pushnotify&utm_medium=push