A driver of Afghan descent accused of plowing a white SUV into a crowd of pedestrians Thursday in Melbourne, Australia, injuring at least 14 people in a ?deliberate act? has a history of drug use and mental illness and was known to police ?on historical assault matters,? police said.
Two men, including the 32-year-old driver, were taken into custody, police said. The Afghan driver was an Australian citizen. Authorities said there was no evidence or intelligence to indicate that the incident was terror related, but they believe the driver carried out the act deliberately.
"We don't at this time have any evidence or any intelligence to indicate there's a connection with terrorism," said Victoria state police acting commissioner Shane Patton.
The second man arrested at the scene was filming the attack. He had three knives in his bag -- although police believe he is not connected to the attack, Sky News reported.
"I was crossing Flinders Street on the way to the train station. I heard an engine rev behind me and heard a thump," one man identified only as David said on ABC TV. He said he turned around saw "people literally getting thrown into the air as it hit them."
"Witnesses seemed to response well, as well as police... I can?t understand how someone isn?t dead. There was speed involved," a Melbourne resident told Fox News.
At least 19 people were injured. Several of the injured were taken to a hospital and at least two were in critical condition, including a pre-school-aged child with head injuries.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull sent a tweet calling the incident "shocking" and said his thoughts and prayers were with the victims and those treating them.
It is the second time this year that Melbourne, regularly ranked one of the world's most livable cities, has been traumatized by a car attack.
The attack took place at a crowded intersection in Australia?s second-largest city, which was packed with holiday shoppers.
SUV plows into pedestrians in Australia in 'deliberate act'; two in custody | Fox News