Vic: Police stumped by motive in fetish shop bashing
By Susan Murdoch
MELBOURNE, Aug 22 AAP - The brutal bashing of two employees of a leather fetish storewas a mystery, police said today.
The two men had their skulls fractured by a heavy blunt object, possibly from withinthe Melbourne store.
But police admit they have no idea what prompted yesterday's attack on William Browning,50, of Clifton Hill and David Oakley, 43, of Glenhuntly in the Eagle Leather bondage shopon Hoddle Street, Abbotsford.
The men were initially thought to have been shot, but police today confirmed they'dbeen severely bashed.
Police said the attack took place after an altercation in the store sometime between2pm and 3pm (AEST).
"The motive at this stage is still unclear to us," Detective Senior Sergeant CharlieBezzina told a news conference today.
Det Bezzina said one of the men managed to stagger out to the footpath and alert apasserby who called emergency services.
"You wouldn't call it a prolonged attack but certainly it was severe enough to fracturea skull," he said.
Mr Oakley, the most seriously injured, remains in The Alfred hospital on a life support system.
Det Bezzina said it could take several days before either of the men was able to speak to police.
Detectives have already spoken to several passersby and customers but today appealedfor anyone who may have been in the store earlier that day or are regular customers tocontact police.
One man apprehended by police late yesterday has been released after being found tohave no involvement.
"The young fellow was just in the wrong place at the wrong time," Det Bezzina said.
The injured men were both single and were not known to police.
According to its website, Eagle Leather specialises in men's leather and latex clothing,leather and fetish accessories, erotic toys, bondage, discipline and S&M gear.
Hoddle Street was the scene of a shooting massacre on August 9, 1987, when Julian Knightkilled seven people and wounded 19.
AAP bja/svm/gfr/mo/sb i
KEYWORD: HODDLE NIGHTLEAD
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