Bandido bikie Toby Mitchell fighting for his life after Brunswick shooting
UPDATE 11.49am: Police believe a bikie gang member shot in a Melbourne carpark was likely targeted over his underworld links.
UPDATE 11.49am: Police believe a bikie gang member shot in a Melbourne carpark was likely targeted over his underworld links.
Bandidos enforcer Toby Mitchell, 37, remains in hospital under police guard after he was hit three times in the hip and back in a Brunswick shopping centre car park on Monday afternoon.
Detective Superintendent Brett Guerin said the shooting was more likely to be linked to Mr Mitchell's involvement in organised crime.
He believed the two shooters intended to kill Mr Mitchell but botched the job.
"It would appear that that's the case," Det Supt Guerin said.
"Driving a stolen car, stolen plates, (they) drove very slowly in front of the gym, got out, shots were fired directly at him, we're reasonably sure they intended to kill him."
While the shooting happened outside the Bandidos clubhouse, police believed it was more likely due to Mitchell's involvement with organised crime than any conflict within the gang or with other gangs.
However, Det Supt Guerin said he would not describe the shooting as a professional hit.
"If the mission was to murder Toby Mitchell, it was spectacularly unsuccessful," he said.
"It ended up being a chase through a public carpark with shots being fired indiscriminately.
"In terms of professionalism, compared to some of the murders that we've seen in Victoria over the past five to 10 years where offenders have laid in wait obviously having done reconnaissance and shot someone in the back of the head to make sure, I wouldn't call it professional."
He said police did not know whether the shooters would try to get to Mitchell in the hospital where he remains in a critical but stable condition, but had placed a guard there as a precaution.
Police have set up a van at the Barkly Square Shopping Centre car park to gather information from shoppers.
A police manhunt was started after Mr Mitchell, 37, was shot as horrified mothers and children ran for their lives.
Mr Mitchell, a champion kickboxer, was hit in the stomach outside Doherty's Gym, next to the bikie gang's Brunswick clubhouse in Weston St, and staggered 100m before falling in the Barkly Square shopping centre carpark yesterday afternoon.
He is in a critical but stable condition at the Royal Melbourne Hospital.
The shooter climbed from a Ford Territory with stolen number plates before opening fire, spraying at least five rounds from his weapon.
Last night, police and firefighters were called to Parkville Ave, Parkville, where they found the 4WD on fire about 10.25pm.
A MFB spokesman said the car was still alight when crews arrived and took about 10 minutes to put out.
Firefighters stayed to help light the scene until the SES arrived.
Several heavily-tattooed bikies turned up to visit Mitchell at the Royal Melbourne Hospital this morning.
There are fears the shooting of Mitchell - sergeant at arms of the gang's Australian wing - will be avenged.
Sources told the Herald Sun the muscle-bound Mitchell may not have been the intended victim and was shot after walking into a feud between two men.
It is believed a gun was drawn on somebody else, possibly a Bandido member, and Mitchell tried to take control.
Shots were fired at two people, but all involved fled the scene, including the intended victim.
The charred Ford Territory was removed by police from this Parkville street. Picture: Trevor Pinder
Investigators will consider whether it is an internal feud gone wrong, an outbreak of violence with another outlaw club or an outsider with a grievance.
The anti-bikie Echo taskforce is involved in the investigation, which is being conducted by the armed crime taskforce.
"Essentially he is the enforcer for the club," a source said.
Mitchell has been in a relationship with Tony Mokbel's former de facto wife, Danielle McGuire.
An angry Mokbel contacted Mitchell from Barwon Prison after learning of their relationship.
Mitchell had earlier in the day been seen in Doherty's Gym.
The feared strongman - who has the word karma tattooed across his stomach - has been of interest to police for many years.
Toby Mitchell was shot outside Doherty's Gym. Picture: Tim Carrafa
He was an associate of slain gangster Nik Radev before he was killed in 2003. Police that year interviewed Mitchell over the murder of Mark Mallia at Sunshine.
He was never charged and other men were convicted.
Acting Supt Stephen Mutton said it was sheer luck innocent bystanders had not been killed.
"We've got a shopping centre here, there are a lot of families doing their normal day-to-day business so it is a great concern to us," he said.
"Fortunately there's only been one person injured."
An officer talks to a shopper at the scene. Picture: Tim Carrafa
A Carlton mother of two was shopping with her children when she heard what she thought was gunfire.
"At first, we thought it was a car backfiring. People were screaming and running," she said.
"It was like being in a movie."
A woman with a blood-smeared singlet was led from the scene by police.
Barkly Square food court attendant Dianne said: "We had women and children on the ground, there were shopping bags everywhere."
Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit the website www.crimestoppers.com.au.
With Mark Buttler, Amelia Harris
