Vic: Two men attacked were employees of fetish store

00-00-0000
Vic: Two men attacked were employees of fetish store

By Susan Murdoch

MELBOURNE, Aug 22 AAP - Two employees of a Melbourne leather fetish store were in criticalcondition today after being bludgeoned about the head during an attack in the shop.

William Browning, 50, of Clifton Hill and David Oakley, 43, of Glenhuntly were attackedyesterday afternoon in the Eagle Leather bondage shop on Hoddle Street, Abbotsford.

Both had their skulls fractured and police believe the wounds may have been inflictedby a heavy, blunt object that came from within the store.

Earlier reports suggesting the men suffered gunshot wounds have been ruled out.

Police said the attack took place after an altercation in the store sometime between2pm and 3pm (AEST).

The premises were disturbed but Detective Senior Sergeant Charlie Bezzina of the homicidesquad said it remained unclear if robbery was a motive.

Det Bezzina said one of the men managed to stagger out to the footpath and alert apasserby who called emergency services.

"Any attack such as this - given the extent of the injuries - is certainly quite severe,"

he told reporters.

"You wouldn't call it a prolonged attack but certainly it was severe enough to fracture a skull."

Mr Oakley, the most seriously injured, remains in The Alfred hospital on a life support system.

Det Bezzina said it could take several days before either of the men was able to speak to police.

He said detectives had spoken to several passersby and customers but appealed for anyonewho may have been in the store earlier that day or are a regular customers to contactpolice.

Police who swooped on the area after the attack, apprehended a man but Det Bezzinasaid his involvement had been ruled out.

"The young fellow was just in the wrong place at the wrong time," he said.

Det Bezzina said the injured men were both single and were not known to police.

According to its website, Eagle Leather specialises in men's leather and latex clothing,leather and fetish accessories, erotic toys, bondage, discipline and S&M gear.

Hoddle Street was the scene of a shooting massacre on August 9, 1987, when Julian Knightkilled seven people and wounded 19.

AAP svm/jlw/cjh/de

KEYWORD: HODDLE SECOND DAYLEAD