Police investigating second drive-by shooting in 24 hours after Craigieburn home was targeted

Terrified neighbours have pleaded for the government to intervene after a Craigieburn home was peppered with bullets overnight – the second drive-by shooting in Melbourne in as many days.

Scene of a drive by shooting in Craigieburn where bullet holes can be seen in the windows of a house. Picture: David Crosling

A house in Melbourne’s north was peppered with bullets overnight, in the second drive-by shooting to occur in less than 24 hours.

Emergency services were called to the Excelsior Heights home in Craigieburn after its residents were woken by the sound of multiple gunshots about 12.10am.

Up to 15 bullet holes could be seen on the front windows of the two-storey home.

A Victoria Police spokesperson confirmed that “a number of shots fired towards the home causing extensive damage to the front of the residence”.

A man and woman, both aged in their 50s, were home at the time of the incident but neither was injured.

The street has been cordoned off while police continue their investigations.

Detectives are also investigating whether a burnt-out vehicle found dumped in Whiteside St, Beveridge shortly after the incident, is linked.

The car, dumped in the Ooranya housing estate, has been burnt beyond recognition.

Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said the occupants of the house weren’t the intended targets.

“The two people who were there, I understood, are completely innocent persons, who are very scared as a result of the shooting,” he said, before adding the investigation was in “its very early days”.

Police are probing whether a burnt-out car dumped in Beveridge is linked to the shooting. Picture: David Crosling

A bullet casing found near the Excelsior Heights home. Picture: David Crosling

Nearby residents said they heard several loud bangs that woke them up about midnight.

“I was just sleeping and we just heard fireworks, like six or eight of them,” a neighbour, who didn’t want to be identified said.

“It was really loud, really scary.”

Another neighbour even called on the state government to intervene, saying she doesn’t feel safe in her area anymore.

“I heard six or seven gunshots, I was sleeping so it was very scary,” she said.

“This is the best street, it’s very safe so we didn’t expect anything like this.

“It’s very scary and an uncomfortable situation.

“The government needs to do something, there’s too much of this happening.

“They have to act, it’s very uncomfortable.”

More than 10 bullet went through the house’s front window. Picture: David Crosling

Another woman, who was on a late night phone call with friends, told the Herald Sun she heard “at least 20 shots” just after midnight.

“It was just non-stop shooting for a few seconds, there was at least 20 shots,” she said.

“I stood up, ran to my light and I turned them all off because I didn’t want anyone to know I was in here.

“It was pretty scary because you can kind of identify the difference between gunshots and other sounds.

“You hear it pretty often around here, it is Craigieburn after all.”

Mr Patton acknowledged there’s been a rise in non-fatal shootings across the state in the past year.

“We are doing everything we can and we will apprehend the offenders,” he said.

The street has been cordoned off as investigators inspect the scene. Picture: David Crosling

Police are investigating the incident and are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward. Picture: David Crosling

The owner of the home is believed to be a painter, with a neighbour describing him as a “quiet guy”.

Another resident along the street that did not wish to be named said “more needed to be done” after a “big week”.

“I can’t believe it’s happened here of all places,” they said.

“ Just take a look at the houses along here you wouldn’t expect a shooting here would you? I think there needs to be more done at all levels because this appears to have become a regular occurrence in Melbourne.

I’d like to think the government are having a good look at what’s been happening.”

James, who also lives on the street, said there needed to be “fairer gun laws” to prevent “criminals from shooting up homes”.

“I’ve got a gun license in Queensland and I’m not allowed to go to a Victorian shooting range by myself but these guys can come into a street and shoot at a house,” James said.

Thursday morning’s incident follows another drive-by shooting which occurred at Endeavour Hills in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

A 17-year-old was lucky to escape with his life, after multiple bullets sprayed the Janmara Court home about 1.30am.

The boy’s parents, a 56-year-old man and a 46-year-old woman, as well as an 11-year-old girl, were also inside the home when the gunfire rang out.

Detective Inspector Al Hanson said CCTV of the car used in the incident showed the offenders circling the home right before the shooting.

The shooting was believed to be a targeted attack, but the teenager and his family sleeping inside the home were not the intended victims.

Meanwhile on Saturday, the affluent suburb of Keilor was rocked by another shooting that killed gangland figure Gavin “Capable” Preston.

He was dining at Sweet Lulu’s cafe when he was gunned down in a hail of bullets while innocent bystanders were enjoying breakfast.

The Herald Sun is not suggesting the three incidents are linked.

Victoria Police are appealing for anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.