A Queensland man accused of bludgeoning an elderly man to death with a metal pole and injuring two others during a violent rampage has a lengthy criminal history. Richard Babos, 36, from Bundaberg West, faces charges including murder, attempted murder, and other offences following the alleged spree on the Fraser Coast on Wednesday.
The incident began around 1.45pm when Babos's silver Subaru Liberty was allegedly involved in a traffic incident on the Bruce Highway at Glenorchy. Police claim he deliberately reversed into a Tesla, verbally abused the driver, and fled the scene.
Approximately 45 minutes later, in Childers, Babos allegedly reversed his Subaru into a Mitsubishi Pajero on North Street. The Pajero driver, a 65-year-old man from Howard, exited to inspect the damage, at which point Babos allegedly reversed into him, exited his car, and repeatedly punched him in the head.
Police allege Babos then drove out of town and used a metal pole to attack an elderly man walking his dog on White Bridge Road at North Isis around 2.40pm. The 78-year-old victim later died from his injuries.
Further Attacks and Arrest
The alleged killer returned to Childers, where police say he began choking a 66-year-old man with a garden hose at the intersection of Lord and Crescent streets about 2.55pm. Witnesses reported the man appeared to be suffering a psychotic episode before locals intervened and restrained him. An off-duty police officer arrested him at the scene.
Babos has been charged with murder, attempted murder, acts intended to maim, disfigure or disable, dangerous operation of a vehicle, and evasion offences.
History of Violence
These allegations are the latest in a series of violent incidents involving Babos stretching back years. In 2021, the Brisbane District Court heard how Babos stabbed a police officer during an arrest in 2019, inflicting a 2.5cm wound to the officer's jugular vein. The court was told Babos believed the officer was a 'vampire or a demon' and acted out of fear for his own life.
After overpowering the officer, Babos fled on foot and was later found shirtless at a nearby home. Armed with a stolen shovel, he had broken into the property demanding car keys, warning the homeowners he needed the keys because he was 'going to be killed by police'.
The court heard he had been heavily abusing drugs throughout the offending period, fuelling severe psychotic symptoms, but was still considered to have prospects of rehabilitation. Just days earlier, Babos had verbally abused a security guard at the Myer Centre before shoving the man's radio into his mouth.
He later pleaded guilty to offences including grievous bodily harm, stealing, trespass, and obstructing police. Babos was sentenced to five and a half years behind bars, with his sentence due to expire on January 10, 2025. However, because he had already spent more than two years in pre-sentence custody, he became eligible for immediate parole.
At the time, defence lawyer Marielle D'Souza told the court the Sydney-raised warehouse worker had been struggling with the death of his grandmother and had turned to alcohol following her funeral.
Further Arrest in 2024
In May 2024, Babos was again arrested following a tense stand-off at a Sunshine Coast service station. Police were called after he allegedly became aggressive towards a staff member, who believed he was armed with a knife. It later emerged the weapon was a screwdriver.
During the confrontation, Babos threatened to stab police, forcing one officer to draw a firearm while another deployed a taser. Once in custody, Babos allegedly yelled 'jihad', an Islamic term often associated with extremist violence against non-believers. The court also heard he shoved an elderly man to the ground during the outburst while the pensioner was buying his morning newspaper. Witnesses claimed he screamed at bystanders to 'shut the f*** up'.
Babos spent 132 days behind bars before pleading guilty to going armed to cause fear, obstructing police, and public nuisance offences. He was sentenced to ten months in jail but was again eligible for immediate parole.
Victim Remembered
A family friend of the elderly man who died on Wednesday described him as a 'very nice guy' who loved taking his dog for a walk. 'He was very friendly and outgoing,' he told media. 'He was always walking his dog, taking him out for daily walks. He was friendly every time we drove past, he'd always wave at us. He walked down that street pretty much every single day.'
The Pajero driver was transported to Bundaberg Hospital with serious head injuries. Police say the victims are not believed to have known the man.
On Thursday morning, police confirmed the accused has been charged with murder, attempted murder, acts intended to maim, disfigure or disable, dangerous operation of a vehicle, and evasion. He will appear at Gladstone Magistrates Court via video link on Thursday. Investigations are ongoing and anyone with further information or relevant footage is urged to contact police.
