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 * Squizzy Taylor**

//Joseph Leslie Theodore "Squizzy" Taylor was born on the 29th June, 1888 in Brighton. Not much is known about his early childhood except that they were forced to move to Richmond because of the depression in the 1890’s, and this is where he was educated. He was the smallest member of the family, being “timid, scared and sly”. The police began to take interest in Squizzy Taylor when he was only 11 years old. His first job was as a jockey apprentice, and it was while socializing with the corrupt people of the horse circuit that he realised there was easy money to be made in crime.

// //Squizzy Taylor was part of a gang called the “Bourke Street Rats”. They robbed drunks on the street and bashed them if they put up any resistance. One of the victims of the gang was a farmer from the outback coming for the 1907 Royal Show. He was bashed and ended up having his jaw broken in two places and a fractured skull. // //In 1916, when most young people were at the First World War, Squizzy Taylor decided to do bigger and greater crimes. In February that year, he and an unknown accomplice tried to rob a bank employee carrying a lot of money. The plan was to hire a taxi, get out at a location along the route the bank employee took and then wait for him. But when the taxi driver, William Hainer, was informed about the plan, he refused and was shot. No one knows which of them shot him, but most believe it was Squizzy Taylor. Their plan didn’t work. The body of William Hainer was found and Squizzy Taylor was caught and trialled for murder. During the trial, witnesses were brought up who said that they had saw Squizzy Taylor and someone else in a taxi at the time. But when they were brought up to give evidence, they suddenly had trouble remembering. This is probably because Squizzy Taylor was able to intimidate them. Without these witness statements, there was no other evidence so the case collapsed and Squizzy Taylor was found not guilty of murder. He was found guilty of Vagrancy and sentenced to 12 months in jail. As he was led away, it is reported that he was smiling. He had just beaten the murder charge. // //After Squizzy Taylor was released he immediately got arrested for robbing a Richmond Warehouse. He was sentenced to one month. Again, after his release he went straight back to crime. His plan was to steal about £2,000 worth of diamond rings from a Melbourne Jewellery store. An accomplice buys a gift for his wife, but returns soon after saying it’s not what he wanted. He then buys something more expensive with a large banknote that requires change. While the person is getting change from the back of the store, he grabs a tray of diamond rings and runs out the door. He locks the door with a padlock and runs to a getaway car and escapes. They are long gone before the alarm is raised. Squizzy Taylor continued to do such crimes for over 15 years. //

//Squizzy Taylor died on the 27th October, 1927 at St Vincents Hospital, Fitzroy after a shoot out with his rival, John "Snowy" Cutmore. //


 * Julian Knight and the Hoddle Street Massacre**

//Julian Knight was born on the 4th March, 1968. He was the eldest of three children and was adopted only 10 days after his birth. His adoptive family had a long army history, but were not Army Officers, with his new father being only an Army Education officer. His childhood was stressful as he moved a lot, even overseas to Hong Kong and Singapore. // //His parents got divorced in 1979 when he was 11. He attended Westbourne Grammar School and later Melbourne High School, a selective secondary school with entry by academic examination. // //While Julian Knight was at Westbourne Grammar School, he was recognised for his fascination with guns and the military, with strong interests in Nazi Germany and the war. While he was at Westbourne Grammar School he apparently had suggested that a good way to become famous would be to "shoot a lot of people." In 1986 he attended La Trobe University to study French, German history and politics. //

//<span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif';">

Here is the timeline of the events which occurred on August 9, 1987 during Julian Knights rampage: // · //<span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif';">a .22 calibre Ruger rifle, // · //<span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif';">a 12-gauge pump-action Mossberg shotgun and // · //<span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif';">a 7.62x51mm calibre M14 military rifle //
 * **//<span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif';">9.29pm //**//<span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif';"> – Julian Knight leaves his mother's house armed with //
 * **//<span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif';">9.30pm //**//<span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif';"> - He then starts to fire randomly at passing pedestrians and vehicles using a .22 Ruger rifle //
 * **//<span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif';">9.35pm //**//<span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif';"> – He then fires randomly at passing pedestrians and vehicles using a 12-gauge Mossberg shotgun //
 * **//<span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif';">9.37pm //**//<span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif';"> – The first police unit arrives at the scene in Hoddle Street //
 * **//<span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif';">9.39pm //**//<span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif';"> – Julian Knight continues to fire randomly at passing pedestrians and vehicles using a M14 rifle //
 * **//<span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif';">9.44pm //**//<span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif';"> – The first ambulances arrive in Hoddle Street //
 * **//<span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif';">9.45pm //**//<span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif';"> – Julian Knight then leaves Hoddle Street, trying to escape //
 * **//<span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif';">9.46pm //**//<span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif';"> – He then fires 3 shots at police car "Northcote 253" //
 * **//<span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif';">9.48pm //**//<span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif';"> – A Police Helicopter, "Air 495", arrives over Clifton Hill //
 * **//<span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif';">9.59pm //**//<span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif';"> – Julian Knight then fires a shot at Constable Colin Chambers on the Queens Parade/High Street bridge //
 * **//<span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif';">10.05pm //**//<span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif';"> – Julian Knight fires 3 shots at a Police Helicopter, "Air 495", forcing it to land on the nearby Knott Reserve park //
 * **//<span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif';">10.13pm //**//<span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif';"> – He is cornered by police officers in McKean Street, Fitzroy North //
 * **//<span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif';">10.14pm //**//<span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif';"> – Julian Knight finally surrenders and is arrested by police //<span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif';">

The weapons used in the massacre:



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