‘Demon warrior’ delusion
A MAN who police shot dead as he repeatedly stabbed his mother with a stick had ranted about being a “demon warrior” in the lead-up to the sickening attack.
Gabriel Messo – whose mother Lilla, 54, remains in hospital and is likely to lose sight in one eye – had suffered severe hallucinations before unleashing at Gladstone Park, in Melbourne’s north, on July 16.
Police shot the 30-year-old when he refused demands to stop the attack.
A Coroner’s Court directions hearing was told Mr Messo, who had only recently moved out of his parents’ house, sought help for mental health problems just a month before his death.
Lindsay Spence, counsel assisting the Coroner, told the court: “At the time, Mr Messo’s behaviour has been described as erratic.
“He showed physical aggression and verbal abuse at times towards his family, and in a further meeting a couple of days later Mr Messo was described as being very erratic – ranting and raving and talking about being a ‘demon warrior’ and fighting the demons.”
On the day of the attack, Mr Messo left his sharehouse about 3pm and walked to John Coutts Reserve where he was captured on CCTV walking up and down. He put his shoes and socks on a park bench along with a water bottle and notebook.
His mother later arrived, walking over to her son before he pushed her to the ground and began assaulting her.
Shocked witnesses phoned triple-0, and police arrived to find him attacking his mother.
“A police officer verbally engaged with Mr Messo, but despite being commanded to cease his attack a number of times Mr Messo refused to stop the assault. As a consequence the police officer discharged his firearm,” Mr Spence said.
Mr Messo received first aid but died at the scene. His mother is now stable.
The hearing was told Mr Messo had earlier indicated he had bipolar disorder and was schizophrenic, but declined mental health treatment.
Coroner Judge John Cain adjourned the matter.