Incident Overview

Incident Overview

• On Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at approximately 9:50 a.m., emergency services responded to reports of an assault at an underground car park near the Charlestown Library on Smith Street, close to 30 Pearson Street.(turn0news12, turn0news13, turn0search1)

• Upon arrival, responders discovered an 83-year-old man fatally stabbed; his identity has not yet been released pending family notification.(turn0news13, turn0search2)

• The attack has been described by authorities as a “random and senseless” stabbing, with no known connection between the victim and the attacker found so far.(turn0news13, turn0search0)

Arrest and Investigation

• At around 1 p.m., a 53‑year‑old man from Hamilton South was arrested at Newcastle City Police Station, after evidence from CCTV footage led police to identify him as the suspect.(turn0news13, turn0search2)

• The suspect has been formally charged with murder as well as assault with intent to rob while armed, and was refused bail ahead of his court appearance scheduled for the following day.(turn0news13, turn0search0, turn0search2)

• A knife, believed to be the weapon used in the attack, was recovered from the scene and is currently undergoing forensic analysis.(turn0news13)

• Police swiftly responded to the crime, deploying ground units, PolAir, and a dog squad. They also conducted searches of nearby bins and recorded vehicle number plates in the vicinity.(turn0search0, turn0news13)

Summary Table