The gunman, Huan Yun Xiang, was acquitted of murder charges stemming from the shootings due to mental impairment, and is currently under psychiatric care.

[3][5][10] Bradley Thompson later entered the room and discovered five guns in holsters around Xiang's waist, including two Berettas, a Taurus, and two revolvers, as well as two magazines from near his hip.

Gordon-Brown and Boast were assisted by a passing lecturer from a nearby room, Brett Inder, to restrain Xiang for thirty minutes until police arrived, while Thompson and university administrator Colin Thornby, provided first aid.

[14] Xiang was deemed by police to be unfit for interview but wrote a note referring to William Wu after his arrest saying "I finally ended WW's life.

[5] Evidence showed that Xiang had joined the Sporting Shooters Association of Australia in April 2002,[1][5] and gained a handgun licence in June 2002.

[1] One lecturer, Gael M. Martin, told the court that she had expressed concerns about his mental state a week prior to the shootings.

[20] On 22 October 2002, the day after the shooting, flags on Clayton campus flew at half mast, and a graffiti artist wrote "Life is short.

[8] Early media coverage focussed on Xiang's limited English skills and resulting difficulties communicating as possible contributing factors to his decisions.

The then Prime Minister of Australia, John Howard, initiated another review of Australian gun laws, the last having been after the Port Arthur massacre, after it was discovered that Xiang had acquired his firearms legally.

[34][35] Lee Gordon-Brown, Alastair Boast, Brett Inder, Bradley Thompson, Andrew Swann and Colin Thornby all received bravery awards for their part in restraining Xiang and helping injured victims.