Drive-by shooting at Kittens strip club in South Melbourne
UPDATE: A DRIVE-by shooter opened fire on South Melbourne strip club Kittens early this morning, injuring a bouncer.
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UPDATE: A DRIVE-by shooter opened fire on South Melbourne strip club Kittens early this morning, injuring a bouncer.
Police were expected to investigate whether there were links between the hospitalised bouncer — who has been uncooperative with detectives — and gym operator and security industry figure Clay Auimatagi.
Mr Auimatagi, a former boxer, survived being shot in Narre Warren South in September.
Police were yet to reveal a motive for the attack, which was captured on CCTV.
Officers were scouring the area for further footage tracking the car from the scene.
A vehicle matching its description was later found dumped and torched at Port Melbourne but police wouldn’t confirm it was the one involved.
Three shots, believed to be from a shotgun, were fired at the front door and foyer of Kittens about 2am.
At least one other security guard and as many as five patrons were standing nearby but escaped injury.
A tree in the path of fire was credited with helping the injured bouncer avoid further harm.
The spray of pellets also riddled the door, wall and a window.
Detective Sen-Constable John Elliott, of the Armed Crime Squad, said: “We’re not too sure whether it’s targeted or whether it’s just one of those incidents. It’s very concerning.
“As to their intent, we don’t know what that is just yet.’’
There had been no obvious trouble at the well-known club earlier in the night or recently.
But all possibilities would be investigated.
The car, believed to be a white Holden Commodore with at least two people inside, was heading north on Cecil St at the time of the shooting. The men were possibly masked.
It slowed as the shots were fired and was last seen turning left onto City Rd.
The same type of car was found burnt-out at the corner of Boundary and Munro streets. The security guard, aged in his late 20s, was hit with pellets in the left upper arm.
“It’s very lucky that no others have got injuries as well,” Sen-Constable Elliott said.
Kittens management did not respond to requests for comment.
Tradesmen were on site carrying out repairs
It is the latest in a string of high-profile incidents in the area.
Two months ago the newly renovated The Albion nearby was gutted in a suspicious fire and a site foreman bashed.
The restaurant was just 11 days ahead of its reopening.
Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.