Middle Eastern organised crime figure Hawre Sherwani shot dead in ambush in Heysen Park Way at Caroline Springs

Gangland figure Hawre Sherwani — who had a $1m-plus murder contract on his head — was killed in a hail of bullets after he was pulled over by a hit team posing as police.

A $1m-plus murder contract was on the head of gangland figure Hawre Sherwani before killers posing as cops carried out a brutal hit on him.

Sherwani – known in the underworld as “Harry the Commo” – died on Thursday night in a hail of bullets fired from point-blank range as he sat trapped in his car on Heysen Park Way, Caroline Springs.

The murder team posed as police to pull over triggerman and drug dealer Sherwani, then blasted him with a high-powered automatic weapon that was dropped at the scene near the victim’s small Volkswagen.

Police have confirmed they are investigating the use of lights and a siren on the killers’ VW Tiguan to get Sherwani to pull over, before he was sprayed with bullets at 10.30pm on Thursday.

Sherwani caught on CCTV after bashing a man at a smash repair business in 2014. Picture: Supplied

An injured Sherwani received help from residents after being shot. Picture: Supplied

CCTV from a nearby home captured a dying Sherwani banging on a front door before collapsing on the porch.

Investigators believe one of those involved in the killing may have been badly injured but have not revealed how.

The abandoned gun, found near more than a dozen shell casings, opens the possibility of police being able to glean crucial forensic evidence such as DNA and fingerprints.

A stray bullet is believed to have clipped the bed of a young child asleep in a home close to the scene.

The Tiguan was found ablaze 15 minutes later on Beatty Rd, Fraser Rise.

CCTV footage shows Sherwani knocking on the door of a property. Picture: 7News

The footage then shows Sherwani collapsing as he succumbs to his injuries. Picture: 7News

There had been a previous attempt to murder Sherwani when shots were fired at him at Fraser Rise on March 20 last year.

His house had been set alight several times and a key ally, Robert Issa, was shot dead in a shopping centre carpark ambush at Craigieburn in October 2023.

Underworld sources have told the Herald Sun it was common knowledge that the big bounty had been put on Sherwani’s life.

It is one of a welter of big-money contracts placed on Melbourne and foreign-based organised crime during a volatile period.

Forensic investigators inspect the Volkswagen. Picture: David Crosling

Police remove a gun from the scene on Friday. Picture: David Crosling

Sherwani – who has previously been linked to the Comanchero bikie gang – had a collection of enemies, among them powerful organised crime boss Ahmed Al Hamza.

Al Hamza – now a powerful, wealthy organised crime boss based in Dubai – was shot in the leg near the Al Diwan cafe at Campbellfield in 2016 when he was a teenager.

Gangland sources say there was a widespread belief in the underworld that Sherwani and another man carried out that attack.

Police reported to reports of shots being fired about 10.30pm on Thursday. Picture: David Crosling

Markers around a gun and bullet casings. Picture: David Crosling

The Herald Sun has been told Sherwani was once assaulted in prison by Al Hamza ally and crime kingpin Kazem Hamad.

Other foes include a crime family linked to high-level drug trafficking and firearms crime, with whom Sherwani previously fought a tit-for-tat war of arson attacks.

There were rumblings Sherwani played a role in a 2023 ambush in which a violent crime figure survived being riddled with bullets.

In 2014, he was caught on CCTV bashing a businessman at a Collingwood smash repair shop.

Detective Superintendent Janet Stevenson said at the scene on Friday that the shooting was “brazen”, “irresponsible” and a “very targeted” attack.

“Mr Sherwani is known to police,” she said.

“He has organised crime links, and at the moment, we’re just trying to piece together exactly what happened.”

The Volkswagen, riddled with bullet holes, is removed from the scene. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

Police at the crime scene on Friday morning. Picture: David Crosling

Sherwani told local residents trying to help him that he had “been shot” and asked them to call an ambulance.

Caroline Springs resident James said Sherwani looked “drunk” as he stumbled around the street calling for help.

“We heard some gunshots, probably around six gunshots … there was yelling and screaming around the corner so I stepped outside,” James told 3AW on Friday.

“We were hearing the sound of ‘help’, so we both walked a couple of houses (down).

“He looked like he was drunk, he was knocking (on) the doors.

“The victim yelled out and said ‘can you please call the ambulance? I’ve been shot’.”

The offenders torched their VW Tiguan in nearby Fraser Rise. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

Police have confirmed they are investigating the use of lights and a siren on the killers’ VW Tiguan. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

James said he, his wife and two sons assisted the dying Sherwani in his final moments.

He said one of the bullets had hit his ribs.

“I took him to a safety position and then my wife and two young boys came in,” he added.

“We were having a conversation but he was passing in and out (of consciousness). We just tried to keep him alive, talking.

“There was one gunshot just under the ribs area and a bit of bleeding.

“My young kid gave him some water but that’s all we could do, we tried to help him.”

Superintendent Stevenson commended the bravery of the residents who helped Sherwani.

“That’s what we see in Australia … people put themselves in danger to assist, regardless of who the victims are. We’re very, very thankful for them, and thankful for those that are actually assisting with our inquiries,” she said.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, has dashcam/CCTV footage or any information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit the website www.crimestoppers vic.com.au.