The first word I received of Numan Haider’s death was a phone call from a colleague a mere 40 minutes after he was fatally shot by police.
My co-worker told me their source claimed a Muslim was shot dead by police at a police station.
Almost immediately, in the climate of a raised terror level and an ongoing battle with extremists half a world away, I knew this local story would have worldwide relevance.
Haider met with Counter Terrorism Officers about his cancelled passport at Endeavour Hills Police Station.
On a balmy Tuesday night, the 18-year-old shook hands with the Victorian and AFP officer before drawing a knife from his jacket pocket.
In a frenzied attack, Haider slashed at the Victorian Officer and then climbed on top of the AFP member and repeatedly stabbed him in the head, chest and arm, even as he fell to the ground.
Haider was warned to stop, but he didn’t, prompting the already injured Victorian officer to shoot Haider in the head.
When I arrived on the scene at 10pm, many of the large group of locals gathered told me they heard the shot.
Some said they heard noises, then the shot. Others said they heard a kaleidoscope of noise, including yelling and police sirens.
Locals heckled me as I reported from the scene to a nationwide audience for Sky News.
“Tell us the truth you f**k,” one person yelled.
Haider repeatedly stabbed the two officers because – some media outlets reported – he planned to behead them, drape an ISIS flag on their bodies and broadcast it to the world via social media.
Police denied this claim at a news conference the next day, but they did confirm that Haider was a known terror suspect.
As I continued giving one live cross after another in the 24 hours following the attack, the story took on a repetitive nature.
But that’s the challenge of live rolling news, you have to freshen up the story, find new angles and exploit them during a two-minute hit on the air.
Recently, I reported on the coroners court hearing into Haider’s death.
Police protocol meant the inquiry had to be called within 28 days but it took just 10 days for hearings to begin.
The police want this case to be done right, and they want natural justice to play out.
It’s because there’s a grieving family, two police families caring for their injured loved ones and a community on the edge.
People want answers. Not just the family; the media and the public are gripped by this story.
Natural justice may come, but no one will be prosecuted.
If anything, there may only be recommendations or suggestions because of this shocking but captivating incident.
