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Man killed in stabbing at Cairns shopping centre

Melissa IariaNCA NewsWire
Not Supplied
Camera IconNot Supplied Credit: News Corp Australia

A man has died after being stabbed in the throat at the Cairns Central shopping centre in north Queensland.

The man, 35, was stabbed by another man about 8am on the ground floor, police said.

A 39-year-old man is in custody and police are now working to establish the circumstances surrounding the death.

“The laceration is to the throat and he passed approximately 20 minutes after the wounds were inflicted,” Detective Inspector Kevin Goan told reporters on Wednesday.

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Insp Goan said police were establishing if the two men were known to each other.

“Our immediate information is that it appears to have been a chance happening,” he said.

“As you’d imagine with a stabbing incident, there’s an amount of blood everywhere.

“That’s about all I can say at this time.”

Police set up a crime scene at the Cairns Central Shopping Centre following the stabbing.
Camera IconPolice set up a crime scene at the Cairns Central Shopping Centre following the stabbing. Credit: News Corp Australia

Insp Goan said the victim was known within the shopping centre as a “nice gentleman”.

“The dealings that he has had with proprietors within the centre has been very positive,” he said.

“He readily engages with others and is described as a fairly laid back easy-going nice gentleman.

“More will be known in coming hours and over the next few days.”

Officers at the scene after the early morning incident.
Camera IconOfficers at the scene after the early morning incident. Credit: News Corp Australia

There are a number of witnesses and CCTV footage to trawl through, police said.

Forensic officers are combing the scene.

Insp Goan said investigations are in their infancy, with police concentrating on identifying witnesses to establish what unfolded.

Some areas of the shopping centre have been blocked off and will not be available to the public to enter as a crime scene has been declared.

Originally published as Man killed in stabbing at Cairns shopping centre

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