A tragic incident unfolded in Melbourne when Andrew Sullivan, a 42-year-old man, succumbed to injuries sustained during an attack inside an elevator. The event occurred on January 16, 2024, as he was returning home from work on his electric scooter.
While attempting to enter the lift at approximately 11:30 PM, Sullivan found himself confronted by a group of young men led by Kloud Allen. According to court testimony, Allen had been seeking retribution following an earlier dispute within the Carlton apartment building complex. A tartan scarf was used to obscure Allen’s face as he brandished a kitchen knife.
A heated exchange ensued, culminating in Sullivan attempting to defend himself and escape. Tragically, Allen stabbed him inside the confined space of the elevator. Despite immediate medical intervention, Sullivan’s injuries proved fatal, and he died in hospital shortly after arriving.
Desiree Schmidt, Sullivan’s partner of nine years, shared her profound grief during a court appearance, stating: “I haven’t gone near an elevator since that night.” The family’s devastation was palpable as they attended the pre-sentence hearing for Allen. They voiced a fervent plea for stricter laws addressing knife crime, emphasizing the devastating impact such violence has on individuals and families.
“There must be an end to knife violence … it’s shattering lives, it’s taking lives and there needs to be harsher consequences,” Sullivan’s sister expressed to AAP. She argued that current sentencing practices were inadequate, stating “We can’t just act on the precedence of what’s been sentenced before because it’s rampant.”
Kloud Allen pleaded guilty to manslaughter and an additional charge of armed robbery, connected to a separate incident six days prior. Allen was apprehended in Queensland after fleeing interstate following the attack and subsequently extradited to Melbourne.
The prosecution highlighted Allen’s troubled background, citing substance abuse as a significant contributing factor. His barrister, Adam Chernok, acknowledged this, stating that “Clearly drugs played a major role here” during Allen’s police interview, where he admitted consuming a cocktail of drugs including Xanax, MDMA, and “pingers.” He offered a heartfelt apology to Sullivan’s family on behalf of his client.
Prosecutor Kristie Churchill demanded the court send a strong message against violence, emphasizing that fatal knife crimes were becoming alarmingly frequent. “This type of offending, particularly knife crime that results in the death of somebody, is way too common and way too frequent,” she argued.
Numerous family members traveled from Samoa to witness the proceedings, including Sullivan’s sister, Feuina, who described him as a gentle soul: “His life ended in such a violent way, when he was the opposite of that. He wouldn’t harm a fly, he would do anything for anyone; there was no reason for this, no justification, it was just senseless.” Her partner added, “Andrew matters, our life together mattered, I need to feel like this court understands that because I carry it with me every day.”
Allen, dressed in a tracksuit and wearing rosary beads, was returned to custody following the hearing, awaiting his sentencing. The case underscores the tragic consequences of violence and the urgent need for preventative measures and strengthened legal frameworks.
