Detective Senior Constable Alex Fiore commended Mr Irwin s bravery. An innocent man was just in the backyard with his family and has come to the aid of a neighbour, and unfortunately been attacked himself. The victim is extremely brave. I know the occupants of this address are very grateful for his involvement, he said.
Detective Senior Constable Fiore said detectives were trying to establish if the victims of the invasion knew the offenders. Police are investigating whether the home invasion was targeted or an isolated incident, he said. We think there may be a relationship but we re not sure.
Witnesses told 9News the offenders were demanding money and fled when it became clear they were not getting any.
A father-of-three suffered a broken skull and stab wounds after was attacked with an axe when he rushed to his neighbour s aid during a terrifying home invasion.
Russell Irwin, 41, was roasting marshmallows with his family when he heard the petrified screams of his female neighbour coming from her home in Cranbourne North, Melbourne, at about 7.15pm on Monday.
Three men had stormed into her house armed with an axe, machete and gun.
Mr Irwin jumped over the fence and ran to his neighbour’s aid before the intruders turned on him.
41 -year-old Russell Irwin (pictured) was stabbed and attacked by three men in Melbourne after he went to the aid of his neighbour who was heard screaming