Despite efforts from several witnesses to help the victim, whom police characterized as a person of “very good character,” he succumbed to multiple stab wounds before emergency services could reach him.

The alleged assailant triggered a lockdown of several schools near the shopping area in Charlestown, Lake Macquarie, during a three-hour manhunt starting around 9:50 am today.

About 1pm, a 53-year-old man handed himself in to Newcastle police station, where he was interviewed and later charged with murder.

Detective Chief Inspector Scott Parker said there was no indication the men, both from the Lake Macquarie area, knew each other.

“It’s obviously very tragic,” Parker said this afternoon.

“The deceased man is a man of very good character, and it seems a very random and senseless attack.”

He said police had recovered a knife.

“Knife crime, it’s clear it is on the rise,” he said.

The police brought in the dog squad, aircraft, and officers from nearby districts, establishing a crime scene at the center. “We encourage anyone who witnessed this incident and has not yet spoken to the police to come forward,” they urged.

“And obviously we’ll continue our efforts to reduce the scourge of knife crime.”

The 53-year-old man was refused bail to face court tomorrow on charges of murder and assault.