Man charged with murder over alleged random knife attack at Cairns Central shopping centre

A man has been charged with the alleged ‘chance’ stabbing murder of a 51-year-old at a Cairns Shopping Centre.

Police on Wednesday were called to the Cairns Central Shopping centre just after 8am on to find a man on the ground floor with “blood everywhere” and fatal wounds to his throat.

A 38-year old – who police are yet to identify – was found nearby and taken into custody.

He was later charged with murder.

Detective Inspector Kevin Goan said initial investigations suggested the two men did not appear to know each other.

“Our immediate information is that it appears to have been a chance happening,” he said.

“As you’d imagine with a stabbing incident, there’s an amount of blood everywhere.

“That’s about all I can say at this time.”

The accused will appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court today.

Insp Goan said the victim was known within the shopping centre as a “nice gentleman”.

“The dealings that he has had with proprietors within the centre has been very positive,” he said.

“He readily engages with others and is described as a fairly laid back, easygoing, nice gentleman.”