Footage capture brazen moment gunman shoots man in leg on Denys St in Fawkner

The victim of a brazen daylight shooting on a residential street in Fawkner was regarded as the “right-hand man” of slain gangland figure Sam ‘The Punisher’ Abdulrahim.

The victim of a brazen daylight shooting in Fawkner was a close associate of slain gangland player and tobacco wars figure Sam “The Punisher” Abdulrahim.

Chilling footage shows a hooded gunman running up behind the victim and shooting him in the left ankle in an attack as he walks along a residential street in Melbourne’s north about 9.30am.

One source told the Herald Sun the victim was regarded as Abdulrahim’s “right-hand man”.

Forces wanting to kill Abdulrahim — unable to get to the former Mongol bikie — had been zeroing-in on his associates for months in the lead up to his killing.

They had hoped to erode support for him by pursuing his allies.

After opening fire, the shooter runs back to a white Mercedes SUV and speeds from the scene.

The bullet travelled straight through the victim’s ankle before exiting and hitting his right foot.

The targeted attack unfolded on Denys St in Fawkner on October 3 last year — close to four months before Abdulrahim was gunned down in an underground car park in Preston.

The brazen shooting happened on Denys St in Victoria. Picture: Victoria Police.

The gunman ran back to a white Mercedes Benz. Picture: Victoria Police.

Police believe the victim, a 49-year-old Lalor man, was lured to the address under the pretence of providing a quote for a trades job.

The address he was asked to attend was chosen randomly and the incident is not connected to anyone living on that street, a police statement issued on Monday said.

The victim was taken to hospital in a serious condition with significant injuries to his left ankle.

He is still recovering from his injuries.

The shooter’s vehicle, believed to be a 2018 Mercedes Benz GLC43, was seen travelling on Denys Street around 9.05am ahead of the shooting.

The vehicle, which had the cloned licence plate 1NB7FC, has not been found.

Police on Monday released a description of the shooter who is said to be of African appearance, around 182cm with a slim build, dark hair and brown eyes.

At the time, he was wearing a dark hooded jumper with the hood pulled up, black track pants and black and white sneakers.

A digital composite of the shooter. Picture: Victoria Police.

The white Mercedes police are looking for. Picture: Victoria Police.

A hit team had in May last year fired more than a dozen shots at Abdulrahim when he left his Thomastown home in the early hours.

As with the Fawkner ambush, they used a ruse to flush him out into the open, setting fire to his parents’ cars in another suburb, knowing he would respond immediately.

Abdulrahim was finally murdered at Preston in January.

A team of killers blasted him in the underground car park of a Quest Hotel car park, the latest hide-out he had used after months on the run from exiled crime boss Kazem Hamad.

Investigators are still looking for those involved with a key avenue of inquiry being who knew he was at the Quest.

Armed Crime Squad Detective Inspector Adam Tilley said a “significant investigation” was underway into the shooting.

“While we do believe this was a planned and targeted attack, it would have been incredibly frightening for those on the street who were simply going about their daily lives at 9.30 on a Wednesday morning,” he said.

“We have a significant investigation into the incident underway and are keen to speak to anyone who has information about the shooting or who recognises the man in the facefit or the CCTV.

“This had the potential to impact innocent parties and we will do absolutely everything in our power to bring those involved before the court.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident, with dashcam/CCTV footage or 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 Footage capture brazen moment gunman shoots man in leg on Denys St in Fawkner