New Zealand refugee killed in Melbourne

Muktar Mahmud. Photo / Supplied

A taxi driver killed in Melbourne as he walked home earlier this week was a Somalian refugee who had been living in New Zealand.

Muktar Mahmud, 31, was found injured in the suburb of Fitzroy shortly after 11.30pm on Wednesday.

Victoria Police said in a statement that attending police and paramedics worked on him but he died at the scene.

Detective Inspector Mick Hughes told the Herald Sun that Mahmud had just finished a shift when he was attacked.

Two people sitting in nearby Condell Reserve heard a faint cry for help before seeing a young man with shoulder-length fair hair running through the park carrying a satchel.

There was no suggestion this person was involved but police wanted to speak with him.

Relative Ahmed Goud told the newspaper that Mahmud lived with his father nearby.

"I pray for him and his family. All I know is he's a nice guy, young boy, hardworking."

Former chairman of the Somali Community of Wellington Mohamud Mohamed said Mahmud had been living in Newtown in Wellington but moved to Australia to work.

His mother and brothers still lived in Wellington but his mother had flown to Melbourne after learning of her son's death.

Family friend Liya Kidada said on Facebook that his family was in "complete shock".

"He was one of the good guys, cool, friendly, level headed, a good son and friend to so many people... no one can believe this happened to someone like him at all."