Nitro Ink tattoo parlour ambush shooting has bikie link
BULLETS pierced walls and windows during an ambush of a bikie-linked Hampton Park tattoo parlour, which left a man critically wounded on Thursday.
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BULLETS pierced walls and windows during an ambush which left a Malvern man critically wounded at a bikie-linked tattoo parlour on Thursday.
Two gunmen wearing balaclavas to conceal their faces entered the Nitro Ink business in Hampton Park and opened fire on the victim about 1.15pm in front of six staff and customers.
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The Fordholm Rd business has been linked to Mick Murray, the national president of the Comanchero motorcycle gang. Murray’s business interests have been left exposed since his recent jailing.
The wounded man, aged in his 30s, was shot multiple times, and last night was in a critical condition at The Alfred hospital.
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One bullet travelled through two walls, and a window of a shop on the other side of the street was shattered.
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The attackers then ran outside to a waiting silver sedan, which was later found burnt out in nearby Robjant St.
Police believe the attackers transferred to another vehicle.
A witness, Joe, ran into the street when he heard a loud explosion but was forced back by the flames.
“I could hear this popping, then the petrol tank exploded,” he said.
“I couldn’t get near the car — it was already engulfed in flames.”
Joe said he could see there was no one in the burning car and said it “didn’t look like accident”.
He said he didn’t see anyone running away.
“I think they would’ve had to have a getaway car to clear off that fast,” he said.
Inspector Mick Daly said a burnt out car, found on nearby Robjant and Mary streets, was being treated as the potential getaway vehicle, with Echo anti-gang detectives and the armed crime squad attended on scene.
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“The fact that they’ve (made) a brazen daytime attack in the presence of innocent members of the public and the fact they’re still at large — the armed crimes squad is putting lot of effort to try and arrest these offenders,” he said.
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Insp Mick Daly said stray bullets had penetrated a neighbouring premises.
“The fact that they’ve (done) a brazen daytime attack in the presence of innocent members of the public and the fact they’re still at large — the armed crime squad is putting lot of effort to try and arrest these offenders,” Insp Daly said.
“The store at the time had about six people — staff and customers — inside.
“We believe the victim who suffered the gunshot wounds was targeted and he was there as a customer.”
A worker, who has a business backing onto the tattoo parlour, said he got a call shortly after 1pm to say the office next door was “being fired at”.
A man who appeared to work at the parlour told the Herald Sun to “f--- off” when asked about the shooting.
Real estate agent Harry Issar said he didn’t hear the shooting but was alerted to the attack by a neighbouring law firm, Hammersmith Lawyers.
“The girls that work there were terrified, almost to the point of tears,” he said.
“We thought someone was firing at the front door.”
Mr Issar said he found a bullet on the ground and quickly realised the shots had come through the back wall of the office.
“It went through six partitions in the office and then through the front door,” he said.
“That’s when we went round the back and saw all the ambulances and police.”
Mr Issar said most people on his side of the shopping strip didn’t know anything was going on for about 20 minutes.
“When people finally saw the ambulances and police started speaking to us we knew something very bad had happened,” he said.
Serena, who has lived on Fordham Rd for six years, said there was never a dull moment. “We always have trouble here, I think someone was even stabbed once,” she said.
“There was another guy shot at the pokies around the corner. The bikies do keep to themselves but when there’s an issue, a lot of people seem to get involved.”
Michael Bezzina said he heard three loud bangs from his unit and immediately feared for his neighbours.
“We look out for each other here,” Mr Bezzina said.
“It’s very worrying this has happened ... I have no idea why they would choose our street.”
Officers from the anti-bikie Echo taskforce and the armed crime squad were at the scene last night.
The parlour is part of the Nitro group of businesses which includes gyms, security services and tattoo outlets.
Murray is in jail for reasons which cannot be reported.
Another Nitro Ink shop in Dandenong was shot up in 2013 during a dispute allegedly linked to the Hells Angels.
At the same time, a Nitro gym in Hallam was also targeted.
At least a dozen police and forensic officers remained at the shopping strip at 7pm.
The reason for the shooting remains unclear but police are exploring bikie feuds as a possible motive.
Police investigators believe this is a targeted shooting.
Anyone with information is urged to phone crime stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.