ISIS takes credit for shooting in Australia

The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) claimed responsibility Tuesday for a shootout in Melbourne, Australia, that killed one person the day before.

Victoria Police Commissioner Graham Ashton said police were investigating Monday’s incident after ISIS took credit via its Amaq news agency.

“We’re aware of them having claimed responsibility, but then they always tend to jump up and claim responsibility every time something happens so we note that that has happened,” he said, according to Reuters.

Reuters reported that Amaq said Monday’s attack was launched due to Australia’s part in a U.S.-led coalition fighting ISIS in Iraq and Syria.

{mosads}Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Tuesday said that police were treating the attack as “an act of terrorism.”

“This terrorist attack by a known criminal, a man who was only recently released on parole, is a shocking, cowardly crime,” he said in Canberra, Australia.

“It is a terrorist attack and it underlines the need for us to be constantly vigilant, never to be deterred, always defiant, in the face of Islamic terrorism.”

Ashton said that police on Monday shot dead Yacqub Khayre after he held a woman hostage inside an apartment building in Melbourne.

Khayre, a 29-year-old Australian of Somali heritage, reportedly arranged to meet a female escort at a block of serviced apartments in Melbourne’s beachside suburb of Brighton.

Ashton said Khayre shot a staff member at the property when he arrived, adding that police shot and killed the gunman after he opened fire on them.

The police commissioner added that the woman was rescued unhurt, but three police officers suffered nonlife-threatening gunshot wounds during the standoff.