According to The Australian, staff at the National Zoo and Aquarium are mourning the death of their female colleague. A 29-year-old female staff member was found stabbed to death in a restaurant kitchen storeroom. Another staffer, a 29-year-old man, was arrested and sent to the hospital with self-inflicted knife wounds. Charges have not yet been laid against him. The suspect is currently under police guard.
The murder weapon was found at the scene. While there were no direct witnesses, people close to the scene recalled hearing screams before the woman’s body was found. The victim’s family have been told of the death.
According to the Zoo’s statement on the National Zoo and Aquarium Facebook page, it was a “tragic” and “incredibly sad” event. They have also stated that all tours and animal encounters would be on hold until at least Wednesday.
The police reported on Monday that the zoo would be closed “for some time.” It has also been requested from Zoo staff that everyone involved be allowed to grieve and process what has happened in private.
Furthermore, the zoo staff and the loved ones of the victim have been offered counselling by the zoo. The public has also been reassured that they are not in danger.
More Information To Come
It is unclear what motivated the crime or why it occurred. As more information comes out, we’ll be sure to share it, as this story is one of many cases around the holidays. The Lindt Café Siege occurred almost a decade ago around this same time. The shooting death of two Queensland police officers last year happened about this time as well.
