Pascoe Vale teen assault rifle suspect targeted in Epping shooting

An alleged dispute between two groups of warring youths has escalated, after a hail of bullets was fired into the family home of a teenager charged with shooting a Pascoe Vale house with an assault rifle.

Multiple gun shots were fired into an Epping home as part of an escalating dispute between two allegedly warring youth gangs in Melbourne’s north.

Ten shots were fired into a house and a car on Broadleaf Drive shortly after 2am on Wednesday.

The property that was shot at was the family home of Murtada “Monty” Alessawi, a teenager who allegedly fired an SKS assault rifle into a home in a terrifying shootout.

Last week, the Herald Sun exclusively revealed Alessawi, 18, has been accused of firing more than 20 rounds from the semiautomatic rifle into a rival’s Heather St home in Pascoe Vale in the early hours of June 14.

Police at a crime scene in Epping where shots were fired into a car and house. Picture: David Crosling

Authorities are combing the scene for evidence. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

Five bullets travelled almost 1km, peppering the homes of innocent people in Coburg North.

Victoria Police said five people were inside the home at the time Alessawi’s family home was fired upon, but no one was injured.

A neighbour said he heard the sound of “muffled” gunfire during the shooting.

“I was just about to go to bed when I heard six shots in quick succession,” said the resident, who wished to remain anonymous.

“The shots went off and I heard a car speeding off, not in a crazy speed, but pretty fast.

“These incidents happening more and more around Melbourne are very concerning.”

“My wife drove past the incident that happened in Fawkner and this happened last night near our home.”

Neighbours who witnessed the shooting spent a sleepness night as they “feared for their life”.

“I heard men shouting as a car stopped in front of the house, the back door opened and a man shot a few times and sped off,” the neighbour said.

Another neighbour said: “I felt it from my bedroom, it was right next to my room”.

“We live in Australia, we have really strict gun policy, and still this is happening. It was nerve-wracking.”

The shooting is allegedly part of escalating gun violence between two warring groups of youths.

Shots were fired into a house linked to a teenager accused of another shooting earlier this month. Picture: David Crosling

Bullet holes can be seen in the car window. Picture: David Crosling

Wednesday’s incident is the ninth shooting in Melbourne’s northern suburbs since February linked to the ongoing dispute.

It is not linked to the Fawkner ambush of former Mongol Sam Abdulrahim on Saturday, but residents said they were concerned about rising tensions in the area.

Epping locals said police had doorknocked Broadleaf Drive on Monday, asking them for CCTV footage, believed to be connected with a getaway car used after the shooting Abdulrahim.

The shooters crashed the first getaway car on Sydney Rd, before carjacking a Ford Territory which was later found burnt out in Epping, a short distance from Broadleaf Drive.

Residents reported hearing loud gunshots, according to social media.

Anyone with information is asked to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.