One innocent life lost, two people in hospital and hundreds of bystanders subject to what police are calling a terrorist attack.

That’s the result of yesterday’s Bourke Street terrorist attack – the 7th of its kind in Australia, and the second at Bourke Street in Melbourne.

As we heard the events unfold, we were all shocked and devastated.

At around 4.30pm, a car, filled with explosives, crashed and exploded.

The driver, 30-year-old Hassan Khalif Shire Ali, then went on a rampage, stabbing three people, before he was shot dead by police.

Two of the victims have undergone surgery for their lacerations and are currently in a stable condition.

The man who lost his life, has been revealed as 74-year-old Sisto Malaspina, a Melbourne icon, who owned and operated Pellegrini’s Espresso Bar.

It’s also understood Mr Malaspina had gone to help when he saw the car explode, before he was fatally stabbed.

Ali was known to authorities for his radical views. In 2015, his passport had been cancelled due to fears he’d fly to Syria and fight for Islamic State.

Yet, he wasn’t being actively monitored.

Australia’s terrorist threat level is currently at “probable” but many are wondering whether this should change.

People are asking what more needs to be done to prevent another attack happening on Australian soil.

John and Erin ask these questions to international terrorism expert and Intelligent Risks CEP, Neil Fergus.

RELATED

Chaos in Melbourne: Two dead, man with knife shot by police in ‘terrorist’ incident