Moorabbin shooting: Fears of retaliation attack as police probe underworld links
A probe has been launched into whether underworld links could have sparked a brazen daylight Moorabbin shooting after it was revealed the “frightened” victim is known to detectives. And the mystery gunman remains on the run.
Inner South
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Links to the criminal underworld may have been motivation for a mystery gunman who opened fire on a Moorabbin property
And police are working to relocate the victim — who they say has been known to them for a number of years — with fears the attack could spark a retaliation.
The brazen shooter has been on the run for more than a week after dressing in high-vis gear and firing two shots into a Wickham Rd lounge room just after 6am on September 16.
After firing the two shots the man went back to his Holden Commodore station wagon and was last seen driving east along Wickham Rd.
Moorabbin detective Sergeant Grant Lewis told the Leader the man inside — aged in his 50s — had been known to police for a number of years.
“We know that he’s got some associations that may give reason or cause,” Sgt Lewis said.
“Our first concern is for safety to have him removed so we remove the risk, and obviously the chance of repercussions or retaliation is minimised.”
Sgt Lewis said the man and his female partner had been left “frightened” but were not injured and co-operating with police.
He said the offender would not have “looked out of sort” as he concealed the gun inside an Esky cooler bag and wore high-vis gear in an area near a construction site.
Police have released CCTV footage in the hope someone might recognise the alleged shooter.
“(The offender) was obviously not wanting to identify to others that he had the handgun in his possession … it was an easy way of concealing it,” he said.
“It’s pretty risky (behaviour) …(there were) vehicles passing.”
The man police wish to speak to is described as 180cm with a medium build.
The man police to speak to was wearing a dark coloured hoodie, a baseball cap and face covering, a fluorescent orange rain jacket, denim jeans, runners, carrying the cooler bag and a sports bag.
Investigators are urging any witnesses, anyone with dashcam vision or anyone with information to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a report at crimestoppersvic.com.au
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