Man Shot and Woman Critically Injured in Car and Truck Collision – Epping, VIC – 27 August 2025

What happened

Incident Overview

Police are investigating a combined shooting and car crash that occurred in Melbourne’s north on Wednesday night, August 27, 2025. At approximately 9:30 pm, emergency services were called to the Hume Freeway at Epping near the Cooper Street exit ramp after a car collided with a truck. A 23-year-old man inside the vehicle was found with gunshot wounds and transported to hospital in a serious condition. A second occupant, an 18-year-old woman, suffered life-threatening injuries from the crash and was also taken to hospital. The truck driver was uninjured and is not suspected of involvement in the shooting. A burnt-out car was later found nearby on Cooper Street, but its connection to the incident remains under investigation.

“The exact circumstances surrounding the incident are yet to be established and the investigation is ongoing.” — Victoria Police

• Crash Date: Wednesday, August 27, 2025 (approximately 9:30 pm)
• Location: Hume Freeway near Cooper Street exit, Epping, Melbourne, Victoria

• Passenger vehicle (occupied by a 23-year-old man and 18-year-old woman, collided with a truck)
• Truck (driver uninjured, remained at scene)
• Burnt-out vehicle located nearby on Cooper Street (connection under investigation)

• Fatality:
  • No fatalities reported at this stage.
• Serious Injuries:
  • 23-year-old man, sustained gunshot wounds, transported to hospital in serious condition.
  • 18-year-old woman, sustained life-threatening injuries from crash, transported to hospital.
• No Injuries:
  • Truck driver, uninjured and remained at the scene.

The violent combination of a shooting and serious crash has alarmed residents of Epping and surrounding Melbourne’s northern suburbs. The incident has raised fears about escalating crime in the area and disrupted traffic on the Hume Freeway while police established a crime scene.

Emergency Response

• Emergency services attended the Hume Freeway crash site at approximately 9:30 pm.
• The injured man and woman were treated at the scene and taken to hospital.
• Police established a significant crime scene and began investigating possible links to a nearby burnt-out car.

“Another vehicle was found on fire a short distance away in Cooper Street and police are trying to establish if it is linked.” — Victoria Police

Investigation

Victoria Police are examining:

• The sequence of events leading to the shooting and subsequent collision with a truck.
• How the 23-year-old man sustained gunshot wounds prior to or during the crash.
• Whether the burnt-out vehicle located on Cooper Street is connected to the incident.
• CCTV and dashcam footage from the Epping area around the time of the incident.

Appeal for Information

Authorities are urging anyone with information or dashcam/CCTV footage to contact:

• Crime Stoppers VIC: Call 1800 333 000 or report online at [www.crimestoppersvic.com.au](https://www.crimestoppersvic.com.au)
• Witness Reporting: Contact Victoria Police directly or at the nearest local police station.