Fifteen years after he was fatally assaulted in Melbourne’s CBD, Homicide Squad detectives are today announcing a $1M reward for information in relation to the death of Shannon McCormack.
Shannon was just 22-years-old when he was fatally injured during an altercation outside the Queens Bridge Hotel on Sunday, 27 May 2007.
He had left the Southbank nightclub with friends about 4am that morning.
The group then became involved in an altercation with another group, which comprised of at least three males, about 100 metres from the venue.
Shannon stepped in to try and separate his friend from an argument with another man, when he was punched by an unknown male.
He was knocked to the footpath and investigators believe Shannon struck his head on the ground, causing a serious head injury.
Shannon’s friends and nightclub staff administered first aid before taking him home to Eltham in a taxi.
However his condition deteriorated overnight and his parents conveyed him to the Austin hospital.
Despite undergoing a number of operations over the next few days, sadly Shannon passed away on Sunday 3 June as a result of his injuries.
Investigators subsequently trawled through thousands of hours of CCTV footage, as well as interviewing a large number of witnesses, hotel staff and patrons, in an effort to locate the person responsible for the assault which led to Shannon’s death.
Police have also conducted a significant number of public appeals over the past 15 years as part of this investigation.
In 2013, investigators released CCTV footage from outside the Queens Bridge Hotel which shows a man we are still looking to identify.
This man is described as being between 165 to 175 centimetres tall, with a thin to medium build and light brown or blond spiky hair.
On the night he was wearing a light purple or blue t-shirt and light blue jeans.
Police are still appealing for anyone who recognises this man or has knowledge of his identity to come forward, and detectives are again releasing images from that CCTV.
The man remains a significant person of interest in this investigation and police are also looking to identify other males who were with him on the night shown in the CCTV.
Today, police are re-releasing this footage along with still images in the hope someone is able to identify them.
Police believe there are still people out there who have information about who was responsible for the assault which resulted in Shannon’s senseless and untimely death.
Victoria Police is today announcing a $1M reward for information in relation to those responsible for Shannon’s death.
A $100,000 reward was previously offered in 2009.
A reward of up to $1M will be paid at the discretion of the Chief Commissioner of Police, for information leading to the apprehension and subsequent conviction of the person or persons responsible for the death of Shannon McCormack.
The Director of Public Prosecutions will consider, according to established guidelines, the granting of indemnification from prosecution to any person who provides information as to the identity of the principal offender or offenders in this matter.
Police are hoping the increased reward will encourage someone to come forward with information.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.auExternal Link
Quotes attributable to Detective Inspector Tony Combridge:
“Shannon’s tragic and unnecessary death is an incident which is lodged in the memory of many Victorians.
“It was one of the first one punch deaths which sadly became all too common in the years following, and I know his family have campaigned tirelessly for greater awareness around this issue.
“No night out should end in a death like this; it’s absolutely senseless.
“Shannon was just 22 years old at the time he was fatally assaulted and had his whole life ahead of him.
“He was much loved and popular and had a wide circle of friends.
“Sadly, his parents Bill and Cheryl never got to see the things so many people take for granted – they never got to see Shannon graduate university, get his first job, get married, start a family.
“All of this was taken from them for no reason at all.
“The McCormack family remain desperate for answers and to see those responsible held to account.
“Over the past 15 years it is highly likely that those involved on the night have spoken to someone else about it, and that information may have also then been passed on to others.
“Circumstances and allegiances may have changed, and people who weren’t in a position to speak to police previously may now be ready or able to do so.
“As always, this information can also be provided anonymously.
“In terms of the group and people involved, there are a number of possibilities for investigators. It may be that they were from regional Victoria or interstate and visiting Melbourne, or it might be that given 15 years have passed, these were Melbourne people who have since left the city.
“All we need is a name and we still believe this case can be solved.”
