Shooter opened fire on Paul Virgona from passenger seat of another vehicle
Detectives probing the freeway shooting of Croydon father and local footy coach Paul Virgona say he was “an innocent man going about his regular business” and not known to police. So why was he gunned down in cold blood?
Law & Order
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A shooter opened fire from the passenger side of a Mercedes in a brazen execution of Croydon fruiterer and father-of-two Paul Virgona as he drove along EastLink.
Police believe Mr Virgona, 46, was followed in the lead-up to Saturday’s shooting near the Mullum Mullum Tunnel in Donvale, which killed him and left his Volkswagen van riddled with bullets.
But why he was targeted remains a mystery more than 48 hours after the killing.
Homicide Squad Inspector Tim Day said: “The victim is not known to the police, he is an innocent man going about his regular business.
“No person needs or deserves this sort of treatment, to be gunned down on a freeway.
“There will be a reason for this, we are just yet to discover it.”
Insp Day said investigators were examining whether Mr Virgona was the target or if his murder was a case of mistaken identity.
“It could be (mistaken identity),” he said.
“And again that’s one of the avenues of inquiry that we’re looking at.
“It could be related to his employ, it could be related to his social network, it could be mistaken identity.”
Potential organised crime links will also be examined as part of the murder probe.
“There have been issues with the fruit and vege markets over history and it’s clearly something we need to look at in terms of Paul but I want to emphasise there is nothing in his background that would indicate why he would be targeted,” he said.
It can be revealed police chased the EastLink executioners on foot through a Bayswater park after they dumped a grey Volkswagen Amarok linked to the shooting.
Insp Day said two men vanished after running from police in Marie Wallace Bayswater Park shortly after 3.15am.
Police believe Mr Virgona was shot at from a Mercedes c200 sedan, registration AZE110, driving towards the city on the freeway about 2.20am.
The Mercedes, with two people inside, left the Eastern Freeway at Springvale Rd immediately after.
It was torched near Jaxlee Cl in Mooroolbark about 2.40am.
Police believe the men then got into a grey Volkswagen Amarok, registration 1MC9PG.
The car was spotted by night shift police on Windermere Dr, Ferntree Gully about 3.12am.
Police chased the vehicle based on intelligence it was linked to the freeway killing.
About five minutes into the chase, the Amarok was abandoned on the intersection of Mountain Hwy and Scoresby Rd near Marie Wallace Bayswater Park.
Two men fled the four-wheel drive and ran through the park.
Police units including the Air Wing, Dog Squad and Critical Incident Response Team where unable to find them.
Search and rescue teams have been combing King St in Bayswater for clues.
Police have appealed to those involved in the organised hit to come forward.
“There are clearly going to be other persons involved in this, in the planning of this, potentially in the theft of other vehicles,” Insp Day said.
“They have an opportunity to come forward, they may only have one chance to do that.”
The Mercedes has been confirmed as stolen but it is unknown whether the Amarok was stolen or belonged to one of the offenders.
Eastlink Execution: Search and rescue crews have combed through Dandenong Creek off King Street in Bayswater today, hoping to find evidence linked to the shooting. @theheraldsun pic.twitter.com/E65XBZ9FeH
— Brianna Travers (@briannatravers) November 11, 2019
It is possible the offenders planned to escape in the Amarok before the shooting took place.
“It is a large park area (Marie Wallace Bayswater Park), the egress points are numerous,” Insp Day said.
“The two suspects have left the vehicle here in a hurry out on Mountain Highway and run through the park.”
It is understood police have seized items during their searches but they would not reveal what.
“The message to the offenders is it hasn’t gone to plan,” Insp Day said.
“I have very little doubt that in the fullness of time they will be apprehended.
“That’s all it is, a matter of time.”
Traffic and CCTV cameras captured vital clues of the duo’s journey through the suburbs immediately after the shooting.
However police are urgently seeking dashcam footage from any drivers who were travelling through Croydon, Ringwood East, Ringwood, Donvale, Mooroolbark, Wantirna, Bayswater or Ferntree Gully between 1am – 3.30am on Saturday.
Police want people to pay particular attention to the registration of vehicles in the footage.
Mr Virgona’s white van, riddled in bullets, was registered ABE158.
Anyone within 1km of Marie Wallace park from 3.15am–4am is also urged to contact police.
The Herald Sun has been told the highway hit, likely carried out with a high-powered firearm, was highly planned and had the hallmarks of being the work of organised crime.
A driver is believed to have pulled into a lane alongside Mr Virgona’s van while a shooter opened fire from the front or rear passenger side.
It appears someone knew of Mr Virgona’s likely movements or was following him, given the unusual time he was on the road.
Detective Sergeant Ricky Millar said there was nothing in Mr Virgona’s background that explained why he was targeted.
“Paul was definitely known to be a hard working person,” Sgt Millar told the ABC.
“He was a dedicated family man and there’s nothing as to indicate why this incident would have happened.”
COMMUNITY SHOCKED BY FATHER OF TWO’S DEATH
Inspector Day said Mr Virgona’s family was distraught.
“They’ve lost a loved father, husband,” Insp Day said.
Family gathered at Mr Virgona’s Larissa Court property yesterday including wife Antonietta, and his son and daughter.
Mr Virgona had recently been appointed the Croydon Football Club’s under-19s coach for 2020 and was said to be “really excited” by the role.
He had also coached at the Eastern Ranges and Knox football clubs.
Mr Virgona ran Thornbury-based family business Virgona’s Fresh Produce, which supplies “some of Melbourne’s most well known and iconic restaurants, cafes and bars”.
One relative described the shooting as “shocking”.
“It is terrible,” the family source said.
Neighbour Geoff Carter said the Virgona family “kept to themselves” and was “very quiet”.
He said that Mr Virgona would start his truck about 2am to go to work with the noise dubbed “annoying” for neighbours.
“I know they spent a lot of time lately doing up the front garden.”
Mr Virgona leaves behind a wife, a son and a daughter.
President of the Croydon Football Club Anthony Thompson said the news of Mr Virgona’s death “came as a shock.”
“He was a pretty quiet sort of a guy, he was a family guy,” Mr Thompson said.
“He was passionate about his family and his kids.
“He got into football when his son started playing juniors, he was always around supporting his son, he would always put his hand up to help.
“He loved his football. He wanted to better himself with coaching, it was his passion, he was looking forward to coaching next year.”
Mr Thompson said he was “not too sure what it (the shooting) was all about.”
Neighbour of a decade, Paul McPherson, said Mr Virgona was a “terrific family man” and was a “hardworking local business man.”
“He’s just a lovely bloke,” Mr McPherson said.
“That’s why it’s all the more difficult to comprehend. Just gobsmacked.”
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Mr McPherson said the Virgona family was “well known” around Croydon and were known for their generosity with donating to local charities.
The Eastern Ranges football club posted a tribute to social media.
“Vale Paul Virgona,” the post said. “The Eastern Ranges are deeply saddened by the news of the death of Paul Virgona.
“Paul was involved as a Development Coach last summer with our Under-16 Patton Squad and his business also sponsored the club through donating fruit for our games and programs during the season.
“Our thoughts are with Paul’s family and friends and all those at the Eastern Ranges who have known him through his involvement in football in the region.”
The investigation remains ongoing and anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.