Melbourne student shoots dead two class-mates

A student at a university in Melbourne walked into a tutorial carrying a number of small guns and shot two class-mates dead yesterday, wounding five others.

The man, believed to be a fourth year student, walked into a tutorial at Monash University, carrying up to four small pistols. He opened fire, killing two Asian students in their 20s instantly. A third man in his 30s was in a critical condition last night after being shot in the stomach. A woman was shot in the jaw and others suffered multiple wounds.

The gunman, described as Asian, was overpowered by other students and a tutor and was later arrested. Police said there was no indication of a motive, but added that it was unlikely to be an act of terrorism.

Those who intervened were hailed as heroes for ending a shooting spree that police said would have taken more lives. "The students who actually tackled this person have done a tremendous job," said police superintendent Trevor Parks. Counselling stations were set up at the campus for traumatised survivors.

At first, reports of the gunman were considered a joke, some students said. Other thoughts turned to the Bali bombing and the serial sniper in the US.

Australia's worst mass shooting occurred at Port Arthur, Tasmania, in 1996 when Martin Bryant killed 35 people.