Love Machine shooting victim Richard Arow remembered by 400 mourners at funeral

Richard Arow, one of the victims of the Love Machine nightclub shooting in Prahran last month, was remembered for his adventurous spirit and integrity by mourners at his funeral.

Pallbearers carry Richard Arow’s coffin. Picture: Jay Town

Not too long ago shooting victim Richard Arow reeled off his bucket list items.

He wanted to go swimming on the Great Barrier Reef. Climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Swim with great white sharks in South Africa, skydive somewhere special and sail down the Amazon.

But at his funeral at Keilor City Church this morning partner Rebekah Spinks recalled the poignant moment when he asked her if he could have two more inclusions.

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He said he wanted to be a good husband and father.

More than 400 people attended the farewell service for Mr Arow, 28, who was one of two victims in a shooting outside a popular nightclub in Melbourne last month.

Family and friends spoke of a boy who moved with his family from Sudan for a new life in Melbourne in 2002 and grew to become a man of integrity who built friendships without judgment and brought two cultures together.

Close mate Ninos Emmanuel helped inject a little humour into what seemed a hopeless situation. He said his mate had adapted to life in Australia seamlessly.

“He was the whitest black guy we knew,” Mr Emmanuel said.

“Richard had so many loves. He was a remarkable soccer player. He listened to hip hop and Latin music and thought he was Drake in the flesh.

And KFC … that kid loved chicken.”

Friends and loved ones farewell Richard Arow at the Keilor City Church today. Picture: Jay Town

The upcoming Euro Cup final between Chelsea and Arsenal would have been something his friend would have loved, he said.

“We will be watching it for you, brother.”

Ms Spinks said she felt fortunate to have fallen into a relationship with a man who had loved without ego.

“There is only one great happiness in life, to love and be loved and we had that,” she said. “Richie was new to love and relationships and he wanted to be a great partner to me. He would ask his friends for advice all the time. I wish he would never have sweat the small stuff because gifts are lovely but … the greatest gift Richard ever gave me was time.”

Friends and loved ones gather beside Mr Arow’s coffin. Picture: Jay Town

Sister Achol said the family was proud of the son and brother he had become.

“He was exactly the man he set out to be,” she said.

“Loving, caring, compassionate and an amazing person all around.”

Mr Arow died in hospital almost a week after he was shot while waiting in line outside Love Machine.

A second man, security guard Aaron Khalid Osmani was also killed when bullets were sprayed outside the venue in a drive-by shooting.

Two men wanted in relation to the attack were seen wearing masks and used a stolen Porsche during the drive-by.

Mourners comfort each other outside the church. Picture: Jay Town

Police are yet to make any arrests.

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