An on-duty specialist paramedic suffered stab wounds to his face and neck in an unprovoked assault while grabbing coffee with colleagues in Reservoir, Melbourne.

The Incident

The attack occurred just after 11 a.m. on Thursday at a cafe in the northern Melbourne suburb. The Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance (MICA) paramedic was approached from behind by a man who exited a small red car, stabbed him twice, and fled in the same vehicle.

Colleagues treated the paramedic on-site before transporting him to a hospital. He sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

Suspect Arrested

Authorities arrested a 32-year-old man at a nearby property on Winter Crescent in Reservoir shortly before 1 p.m. He remains in custody and faces charges within the next 24 hours.

Political Reaction

Shadow Minister for Ambulance Services Georgie Crozier described the assault as “horrific” and extended thoughts to the paramedic and his family.

“This level of violence shows how dangerous our streets have become and how crime is rampant in Victoria,” Crozier stated. “No one, let alone a frontline health worker, should face this kind of violence. We need tougher penalties for anyone who attacks paramedics and other health care workers. They protect us; the law should protect them.”

Existing Laws and Challenges

Victoria enforces mandatory jail sentences for assaults on frontline workers, including paramedics, police, nurses, doctors, and firefighters, since 2018. Statutory minimum sentences for injuring emergency workers have been active since 2014.

However, some offenders avoid prison through mental health defenses in court.

Public Outrage

The incident has sparked widespread anger among residents, who demand stricter measures like no bail and maximum penalties amid concerns over rising crime.

Anyone with information, dashcam footage, or CCTV from the scene should contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000.