Man killed in ‘targeted’ shooting outside strip of shops in Melbourne
Homicide squad detectives are combing an area in Melbourne’s north after a man was shot dead outside a strip of shops in the early hours of Good Friday.
Police said the 33-year-old man from Broadmeadows was found injured on Justin Avenue in Glenroy shortly after 4.30am and died at the scene.
“It appears at this stage to be a targeted attack,” the homicide squad’s Detective Inspector Dean Thomas said at a press conference on Friday morning.
A large crime scene has been established, centred around a red Hyundai i30 sedan parked at a small shopping strip opposite a playground in a small reserve. A nearby resident’s CCTV footage, seen by The Age, captured the sound of several bangs and a car speeding past late at night.
Thomas said the victim was known to police and had a criminal history but did not believe he was linked to the state’s escalating underground war over the illegal tobacco trade or any other organised crime.
The criminal syndicates involved in the tobacco turf battle have been linked to more than 60 arson attacks, two murders and several shootings over the past year.
“There is nothing at this stage to suggest any connection to the tobacco incidents that have been occurring – nothing,” Thomas said.
One resident reported hearing a loud bang about 4.20am, but only discovered a man had died upon reading media reports hours later.
Thomas said police were still trying to figure out why the victim was outside the shops in the early hours of Friday morning. The homicide squad boss appealed for the public to share any CCTV or information with police.
“We don’t know how many people we are looking for,” Thomas said.
Shortly after 8am on Friday, forensics officers were seen photographing the intersection of Justin and Daley streets while other uniformed police guarded the area.
Plain-clothed detectives were seen knocking on doors and asking for CCTV vision.
Anyone who witnessed the crime or has CCTV/dashcam footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au