‘Eight shots later’: Sam ‘The Punisher’ Abdulrahim’s taunt before execution

Sam “The Punisher” Abdulrahim was heard taunting one of his rivals in an ominous phone call before he was gunned down in a Melbourne carpark.

Slain underworld figure Sam “The Punisher” Abdulrahim taunted tobacco kingpin Kazem “Kaz” Hamad over failed attempts on his life during a phone call before he was gunned down in the car park of a Melbourne hotel.

Abdulrahim, 32, was shot multiple times while walking to his car with his girlfriend in an alleged ambush in the car park of Quest Hotel on High St in Preston about 10am on Tuesday.

Officers believe a white Porsche SUV, which was seen leaving the carpark immediately after the shooting and was later set alight, may be involved.

In footage obtained by The Herald Sun, Abdulrahim can be heard in a phone call jesting with his enemy Hamad about a murder attempt at his cousin’s funeral in 2022.

“Hey, I’m still alive brother. Eight shots later and I’m still alive,” Abdulrahim told Hamad, who was calling from a car somewhere in the Middle East.

“You’re lucky. Luck, luck, luck,” Hamad replied.

Sam “The Punisher” Abdulrahim was gunned down in a car park on High St in Preston on Tuesday morning. Picture: Instagram

Kazem Hamad traded barbs with Abdulrahim in a phone call before his death. Picture: Supplied

Abdulrahim’s car was sprayed with bullets as he left his cousin’s funeral at Fawkner cemetery in June 2022.

A stolen grey Mazda pulled onto the wrong side of the road and fired shots into his black Mercedes G-Class. The bikie-turned-boxer was shot eight times and was placed in intensive care in hospital.

During the phone call, a third person travelling in the car with Hamas could be heard suggesting Abdulrahim was being watched, with the male telling the 32-year-old: “I’m gonna stand over you.”

“You can’t protect yourself, my brother,” the male said.

“I can protect myself. None of your boys are anywhere to be seen down here,” Abdulrahim responds.

The exact date the phone call took place is unclear, the publication reports.

Hamad was exiled to Iraq in 2023 after spending eight years behind bars for drug trafficking.

Abdulrahim, 32, was shot multiple times while walking to his car with his girlfriend in an alleged ambush

Detective Inspector Dean Thomas said Abdulrahim was with a woman believed to be with his girlfriend when he was shot outside an apartment block he was staying in on Tuesday.

“That female is extremely distraught and upset … she did her best to render first aid and was assisted by police and ambulance,” Inspector Thomas said.

Investigators remained at the scene on Tuesday afternoon, with officers yet to confirm how many bullets were fired or from what gun.

Threats made in the past against Abdulrahim will also form part of the police investigation.

“We are aware that there has been a number of incidents in the past where threats have been made to this particular male,” Inspector Thomas said.

Police at Quest Hotel, High Street, Preston. Picture: Josie Hayden

“On each occasion, safety warnings have been provided to him by Victoria Police.”

Asked if he thought it was “only a matter of time” given the threats made against Abdulrahim previously, Inspector Thomas said “I think common sense prevails”.

“Perhaps that is the case. But, at this stage we have nothing to suggest there was a live threat that was imminent,” Inspector Thomas said.

“Because, if we did, then we would have shared that information with him.

“We believe he was aware his life was at risk and may still have been at risk … He was provided with options.”

A car being removed from Quest Hotel, High Street, Preston. Picture: Josie Hayden

Police outside Quest Hotel, High Street, Preston. Picture: Josie Hayden

Inspector Thomas said Abdulrahim was previously provided with “safety messaging” that gave him with “a number of options”.

Victoria Police earlier confirmed they believed the shooting was targeted.

His killers fled in a white vehicle, possibly a Mercedes or Porsche, according to reports from witnesses.

Shortly after 10.30am, police were called to the intersection of Northernhay and Alexandra streets in Reservoir in relation to a car fire.

Police believe the vehicle, a white Porsche, is linked to the shooting of Abdulrahim.

They are calling on anyone who may have seen the vehicle in Preston or Reservoir, or who may have CCTV or dashcam video, to come forward.

– With NCA NewsWire

Originally published as ‘Eight shots later’: Sam ‘The Punisher’ Abdulrahim’s taunt before execution