46-year-old Paul Virgona identified as man shot dead on EastLink
The highway hitmen who shot dead a Croydon father on the EastLink tollway remain on the run, as police hunt for answers to the murder mystery. Shocked family and friends of the victim have remembered the local footy coach as a “terrific family man”.
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A highway hit team remains on the run over the execution of a Melbourne fruiterer on the EastLink tollway.
Paul Virgona’s body was found in a bullet-riddled van which crashed near the Mullum Mullum tunnel at Donvale early Saturday.
The 46-year-old Croydon father was well known in suburban footy circles having only last month been appointed coach of the local team’s under-19s side.
It’s understood Homicide Squad detectives will examine whether Mr Virgona’s movements were tracked in the days leading up to the shooting.
Homicide detectives have spent this morning door knocking Mr Virgona’s neighbours in Croydon.
Detectives at the scene said they were keeping an “open mind” about the investigation.
Family and friends have gathered at the Virgona house, many who have been seen bringing flowers.
A distressed relative at the home said his death was “terrible”.
“It is shocking,” the female relative said.
Neighbour of a decade Paul McPherson said Mr Virgona was a “terrific family man”.
“He was really hard working,” Kenmare Avenue resident Mr McPherson told the Herald Sun.
“He’s just a lovely bloke. That’s why it’s all the more difficult to comprehend. Just gobsmacked.
“A hardworking local business man.
“All the Virgona family, they were here for generations in Croydon.
“They are well known around Croydon and really well liked.”
Neighbour Geoff Carter said the Virgona family “kept to themselves” and were “very quiet”.
He said that Mr Virgona would start his truck about 2am to go to work with the noise dubbed “annoying” for neighbours.
“I know they spent a lot of time lately doing up the front garden.”
Mr Virgona leaves behind a wife, a son and a daughter.
Mr McPherson said Mr Virgona was very generous and often donated to local charities.
Traffic cameras are believed to have captured the terrifying incident with EastLink’s operator confirming footage had been handed to police.
Two vehicles believed linked to the killing — a sedan torched at Mooroolbark and a ute found at Bayswater — were being examined for forensic evidence.
It’s believed a high-powered firearm which was yet to be recovered was used in the attack, which unfolded about 2.20am.
At least 10 bullets were visible in the driver’s side door of Mr Virgona’s white Volkswagen van which spun out — blocking the inbound lanes.
Mr Virgona ran Thornbury-based family business Virgona’s Fresh Produce, which supplies “some of Melbourne’s most well known and iconic restaurants, cafes and bars”.
The business, which Guiseppe Virgona founded in the early 1950s, also supplies IGA supermarkets.
Mr Virgona’s loved ones last night declined to comment.
Croydon Football and Netball Club, where Mr Virgona was to next year coach under-19 Colts players, was fielding calls from distressed supporters in the wake of the news.
Mr Virgona had also coached at the Eastern Ranges and Knox football clubs.
President of the Croydon Football Club Anthony Thompson said the news of Mr Virgona’s death “came as a shock.”
“He was a pretty quiet sort of a guy, he was a family guy,” Mr Thompson said.
“He was passionate about his family and his kids.
“He got into football when his son started playing juniors, he was always around supporting his son, he would always put his hand up to help.
“He loved his football. He wanted to better himself with coaching, it was his passion, he was looking forward to coaching next year.”
Mr Thompson said he was “not too sure what it (the shooting) was all about.”
Premier Daniel Andrews said he would be watching the progression of the case closely.
“It’s a very concerning incident,” he said.
“Let’s let Victoria Police do their job and I am confident they will.”
Detective Acting Insp Peter Trichias said multiple offenders were believed involved in the murder.
“It appears to be a targeted attack,” Acting Insp Trichias said.
“I want to reassure the public that the shooting itself does not appear to be random.”
The inspector would not say whether the deceased had crime links but said there was “no indication” the shooting was in retaliation for another incident.
There were no descriptions of the shooting suspects who it was believed fled through Bayswater Park after dumping a dark grey Volkswagen utility alongside the Mountain Hwy.
SES volunteers scoured the park for “multiple objects” Saturday.
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The burnt-out car at Mooroolbark was torched on Jaxlee Cl.
EastLink was closed for several hours with the toll operator confirming police had attended its control room to seize footage of the incident.
Anyone with information was urged to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.