Innocent bystanders forced to flee Nitro Ink bikie death squad
DRAMATIC footage has emerged of two gunmen storming a tattoo parlour in a brazen attempt to assassinate a leader of the Comanchero bikie gang. WATCH THE VIDEO
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EXCLUSIVE: Dramatic footage has emerged of two gunmen storming a tattoo parlour in a brazen attempt to assassinate a leader of the Comanchero bikie gang.
Bystanders fled for their lives as the would-be hitmen ran into Nitro Ink in Hampton Park about 1.15pm on February 22.
COMANCHEROS IN THE GUN OVER BANDIDOS SHOOTINGS
MAN CRITICAL AFTER BIKIE-LINKED TATTOO PARLOUR AMBUSH
Once inside, they shot Robert Ale, 36, former right-hand man of jailed national Comanchero president Mick Murray. Hit nine times, Ale was lucky to survive.
Investigators from Victoria Police’s anti-bikie Echo Taskforce believe the attempted hit was the result of bitter gang infighting, and that it was sheer luck that an innocent member of the public was not injured or even killed.
The CCTV footage shows a stolen silver Audi pulling up outside the tattoo parlour in Fordholm Rd.
While the driver remains at the wheel, two hooded men get out and storm inside, as terrified bystanders flee the scene.
TATTOO PARLOUR SHOOTING VICTIM IS TOP COMANCHERO
Within seconds, the gunmen run out and jump into the getaway car, which speeds off.
Victoria Police spokeswoman Natalie Webster said: “No one else was injured during the incident; however, the shots penetrated the building and entered businesses behind the shop. One bullet entered a wall only centimetres from where an office worker often sat.”
The stolen Audi, burnt out, was found shortly afterwards in Robjant St, Hampton Park.
“It’s believed the three offenders then got into a black Jeep Wrangler,” Ms Webster said. “Detectives have released an image of this vehicle in the hope someone has information about it being in the Hampton Park area around the time of the shooting.”
Police are also looking at whether other recent shootings are a result of internal Comanchero conflicts.
On Saturday, the Herald Sun revealed former male model Hasan Topal had been installed as Victorian commander of the gang, following the imprisonment of Murray.
Police believe Murray and Jay Malkoun, the former boss of the gang in Victoria, are at loggerheads.
There are currently around 50 Comanchero members in Victoria, 25 of whom are in jail.
Ms Webster said Echo Taskforce was also investigating a shooting last August 8.
About 9pm, a Tullamarine man, 33, was shot several times after he got out of a vehicle in a car park in Wagga Rd, Reservoir. He managed to walk north along Wagga Rd, where passers-by provided help and called emergency services.
He was taken to hospital and treated for non-life threatening injuries.
“Detectives … believe this shooting also has links to internal conflict within the Comancheros,” Ms Webster said.
BOLTE SHOOTING COULD HAVE BEEN AMBUSH
THREE SHOT IN BIKIE FEUD REFUSE TO TALK
Investigators also suspect the Comanchero gang is behind the shooting of rival Bandidos gang members on the Bolte Bridge last July and also another shooting of three Bandido members outside their Brunswick clubhouse three months earlier.
Investigators hope someone recognises the men in the Hampton Park CCTV or can provide information about the shooting. And they are keen to speak to anyone who has information regarding the driver of the stolen Audi.
Anyone who has information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report atcrimestoppersvic.com.au