The humble father-of-three, who owns RickyChops barber shop, reveals the terrifying seconds he disarmed a 43-year-old suspect outside the federal MP’s office—as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hails his extraordinary courage
When the terrifying roar of an accelerating engine shattered the quiet afternoon on Murphy Street in Wangaratta, local barber Ricky Jefferies didn’t hesitate for a single second.
Operating his popular local salon, RickyChops, just doors away from federal independent MP Helen Haines’ electorate office, the father-of-three ran directly toward danger as a white Toyota LandCruiser smashed into the 65-year-old politician.
In a display of astounding physical bravery, Jefferies pulled the 43-year-old driver from the heavy 4WD, disarmed a concealed knife from his pocket, and pinned him to the pavement until police units flooded the scene.
Now, as the nation rallies around Ms Haines—who remains in a critical condition at Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital after losing a leg in the horrifying incident—the humble barber has broken his silence.
Speaking to gathered media outside his shop, Jefferies delivered a remarkably grounded, emotionally raw account of the chaotic moments that saved lives and prevented further tragedy.
“I JUST TOOK IT OUT OF HIS POCKET”: HOW RICKY DISARMED THE ATTACKER
Reflecting on the adrenaline-fueled sequence of events, Jefferies admitted that the full severity of the situation didn’t immediately register when he first sprinted toward the orange vehicle.
Ms Haines was retrieving personal belongings from her boot when the LandCruiser executed a sudden U-turn and struck her at close range.
As bystanders screamed for help, Jefferies rushed the driver’s side door, physically hauling the suspect out of the cabin and onto the concrete.
It was during the physical struggle on the footpath that Jefferies noticed the suspect was carrying a weapon.
“He did have a knife. He didn’t pull it out,” Jefferies explained calmly.
“I just wasn’t comfortable with his movements, and so I basically just took it out of his pocket and threw it away.”
With the dangerous blade disarmed and thrown safely out of reach, Jefferies held the suspect in a firm restraint on the pavement until Victoria Police officers arrived to take custody of the 43-year-old Tarrawingee man.
“MY WIFE WOULD BE DISAPPOINTED”: HUMBLE HERO BRINGS LIGHT TO DARK MOMENT
Despite being hailed across the nation as an absolute hero, Jefferies remained remarkably modest about his life-saving intervention.
When asked by reporters what was racing through his mind as he confronted a potentially armed attacker, the local barber offered a dry, quintessential Aussie quip that brought a brief moment of warmth to a tragic afternoon.
“My wife will be disappointed if I’m injured,” Jefferies smiled softly.
Turning emotional as he looked around the tight-knit regional community of Wangaratta, Jefferies insisted that the praise belonged to the brave bystanders who applied emergency tourniquets and rendered immediate first aid to Ms Haines.
“I don’t think I’m the hero, I think that I just was a person who had an opportunity to intervene in a safeish sort of way,” he said, fighting back tears.
“It’s hard to stand up here and talk because the first people on scene were people I know.
I’m humbled and grateful, but those first responders on the scene deserve the real credit.”
Demonstrating his extraordinary work ethic and commitment to his regional town, Jefferies was right back at his barber chair cutting hair at 7:00 AM the very next morning.
PRIME MINISTER ANTHONY ALBANESE LEADS NATIONWIDE PRAISE
While Jefferies shied away from the spotlight, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made special mention of the barber’s selflessness during a national television interview on the Today show.
The Prime Minister praised Jefferies for embodying the finest qualities of the Australian spirit during an unprecedented act of political violence.
“It’s got to be said here that at this dark and terrible time, an element of light is the fact that a good Samaritan rushed to Helen’s defence in Wangaratta,” Prime Minister Albanese stated.
“He put himself potentially at risk by doing so, and that person is a hero today.
He deserves enormous praise and thanks for his intervention, which could have prevented even further infliction of damage aimed at Helen.
At the worst of times, we do see the best of the Australian character.”
HELEN HAINES FIGHTS FOR LIFE AS COMMUNITY PRAYS FOR RECOVERY
As local police continue to investigate whether the attack was a deliberate, targeted act, the Wangaratta community remains united in prayer for Helen Haines.
Following emergency surgery in Melbourne, the independent Member for Indi remains in intensive care, with medical teams closely monitoring her recovery markers.
Floral tributes and heartfelt messages continue to pile up outside her Murphy Street electorate office, just steps away from RickyChops barber shop.
For the residents of Wangaratta, the courage shown by Ricky Jefferies stands as a powerful symbol of community strength and protection during an unforgettable national tragedy.