Man, 76, shot after ‘benign’ exchange outside Middle Park home

Police are trying to find answers after an elderly man was shot in the leg by a man in a white painter’s suit.

Police are hunting for answers after an elderly man was shot while answering a knock at his door.

The 76-year-old victim was shot in the leg shortly after opening the front door of his Canterbury Rd home in the Melbourne suburb of Middle Park about 7.50pm on Thursday.

Armed crime squad Detective Acting Inspector Chris Ellway said police were trying to understand the circumstances of the “very brazen” shooting.

“All we have is that he was wearing a white hazmat or painter’s-type suit and he left on foot,” he said on Friday afternoon.

“At this stage we just need to appeal to the public for witnesses. We believe around that time of night … there would have been people driving past or people walking around the area – they may have seen something.”

The 76-year-old was shot in the lower body when he opened the front door about 7.50pm on Thursday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

Inspector Ellway said the male fled the scene on foot and was last seen heading towards Albert Park Lake.

He said police were exploring the “possibility” the shooting was a case of mistaken identity but cautioned it was “very early” in the investigation.

“I don’t think it’s something random, it’s certainly possibly a case of mistaken identity,” Inspector Ellway said.

“It’s very brazen, very concerning someone would do this at that time of day in that area.”

He told reporters the shooting appeared to be with a “small-caliber” weapon and, due to the painter’s suit, he believed there was some degree of planning involved.

Blood on the ground outside the home. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

It’s understood the victim answered the door after hearing a knock and had a “pretty benign” short conversation before he was shot.

Inspector Ellway said police would step up patrols in the area but detectives didn’t think local residents should be concerned.

The wife and daughter of the 76-year-old victim told reporters on Friday that they were a “normal family” and believed it was mistaken identity.

He is recovering in hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Blood was visible on the ground outside the home on Friday.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

Originally published as Man, 76, shot after ‘benign’ exchange outside Middle Park home