$100,000 reward to find attacker who killed outside QBH

A $100,000 reward has been offered to find the thug who laid a killer 'king hit' on a young man outside QBH nightclub.

A $100,000 reward has been offered to find the thug who laid a killer 'king hit' on a young man outside QBH nightclub.

Shannon McCormack, 22, of Eltham, was punched outside the notorious city nightspot almost two years ago.

His attackers fled and have not been found, despite several witnesses to the assault.

Police warned revellers that "one punch can kill".

Det Sen-Sgt Stuart Bateson said the thug who attacked Mr McCormack would not have known at the time how badly he was hurt. He urged them to own up.

"It is time to give the family the respect they deserve," Det Sen-Sgt Bateson said.

Three men are believed to have been in the group that felled Mr McCormack.

He died from massive head injuries in the 4am attack on May 27, 2007.

Mr McCormack's organs saved four lives.

The attack on Mr McCormack is one of nine cases police have investigated since 2006 involving a punch that left the victim dead or fighting for his life. All involved alcohol.

Also killed were Gary Witcombe, Matthew McEvoy, Justin Galligan, Russell McLarty, Ryan Ellis and Craig Taylor.

Others, including Jon Hucker, were close to death before emerging from comas.

Mr McCormack's parents, Bill and Cheryl, said that they wanted answers to their son's death.

"Losing a child, it's just the most horrific pain you can feel," Mr McCormack said. "For all the parents of these people, it would be unbearable.

"I'm not a vengeful person, but we need to send a message that you can't throw a drunken tantrum and cowardly hit someone and think there's not going to be consequences.

"There was a group with them, which included girls, and the fact they have not developed a conscience, I find that hurtful."

Det Sen-Sgt Bateson said alcohol was a common factor in assaults.

"When alcohol is consumed, an otherwise law-abiding guy can make a split-second decision that could ruin their lives and the lives of others," he said.

"One punch can literally ruin your life and take someone else's."

He said detectives also dealt with tragedy from the offender's perspective.

"There is devastation caused to the family and friends of the person who has died or is seriously injured," Det Sen-Sgt Bateson said.

"On the other side of the coin, we deal with the shock and horror of the offender when they learn they're responsible for someone's death.

"When they walk through the doors of the homicide squad they realise that their life will never be the same again. It's only then they wish they'd never thrown that punch."

Mr Hucker, who was in a coma for two weeks after being punched outside the Lorne Hotel in 2006, called on revellers to think before they acted.

"Just walk away," he said.

"The impact on my life has been pretty large. I can't play footy any more.

"It's been hard for my family, especially while I was in a coma. It's a scary thing for your friends."