Australian doctors voiced fears today that the murder of a security guard inside a Melbourne abortion clinic marked the start of US-style anti-abortion terrorism.
Anti-abortion campaigners condemned yesterday's killing of security guard Steven Rogers (45) at Australia's oldest legal abortion clinic.
But an Australian clinic director, Dr David Grundmann, who is also the president of the International Society of Abortion Doctors, warned Australian doctors were now likely to emulate US-based colleagues by wearing bullet-proof vests to work.
Dr Grundmann said four US colleagues had been gunned down by anti-abortion protestors, two of whom later died. "All the US doctors I know wear a bullet-proof vest to work," he told the Australiannewspaper.
The man arrested at the scene of the shooting has since refused to give his name, prosecutor Mr John Bentley told Melbourne Magistrates Court today.
The man said to magistrate Mr Rodney Crisp it was "all right by me", when told his refusal to give his name would only slow proceedings.
Homicide squad chief Det Insp Brian Rix, said the gunman had walked into the clinic in suburban East Melbourne, pulled a rifle and started firing.
There were 30 people inside when he entered and the action of the two men who overpowered him "would have quite easily thwarted a potential massacre", Mr Rix told reporters.
He will remain in custody until his next court appearance on November 20th.
AFP