“Bring my little friend” Abdullah El Nasher instructed mate before he allegedly shot and killed patron

A man accused of carrying out a fatal shooting at a Melbourne boxing event allegedly told an associate to “bring my little friend” after a war of words with another table.

Mr El Nasher allegedly fired seven rounds into the other group as they exited the boxing event at Melbourne Pavilion. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

A man accused of carrying out a fatal shooting outside a crowded Melbourne boxing event told his associate to bring his “little friend” shortly before the attack, a court has heard.

Abdullah El Nasher, 32, and Osamma Allouche, 28, faced the first day of a Supreme Court trial on Wednesday, charged with the shooting murder of Ben Togiai and attempted murder of Omar Bchinnati outside a Big Time Boxing event at Melbourne Pavilion in Kensington on March 1, 2019.

The men have pleaded not guilty to the charges with their lawyers claiming they acted in self-defence.

Abdullah El Nasher has been accused of murder and attempted murder.

Ben Togiai was struck by a single shot in the chest and died at the scene. Picture: Facebook

During her opening address, prosecutor Sarah Thomas told the jury the men hatched a plan to kill or seriously injure another group of patrons after “tensions” rose throughout the evening.

Mr El Nasher, his two older brothers, and other friends arrived at the venue around 8pm and were seated at table 28 while the other group, including Mr Togiai and Mr Bchinnati, were at table 64.

Witnesses noticed the tables arguing with Mr El Nasher allegedly seen making a cutthroat gesture to the other group.

Mr El Nasher allegedly turned off his phone or put it in aeroplane mode before using a friend’s to text Mr Allouche to come along.

“Melbourne Pavilion. 28,” he allegedly texted.

“Bring my little friend.”

Prosecutors allege Mr El Nasher went to his car and armed himself before returning a short time later carrying a black satchel.

The court heard he later met Mr Allouche outside with the two men coming and going from the venue multiple times.

Ms Thomas said Mr El Nasher later left to take up position in preparation for the attack.

Around 10pm, the warring tables were escorted outside by security.

As they exited, Mr El Nasher allegedly ran across the road, firing seven rounds from a black pistol or a short handgun into the group from the other table.

Forklift driver Mr Togiai, 33, was struck by a single shot in the chest and died at the scene while Mr Bchinnati was shot in the thigh as he ran away.

Mr Allouche is also alleged to have fired a single round.

The Big Time Boxing event was held at Melbourne Pavilion in Kensington. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

Ms Thomas said the entire shooting lasted about 20 seconds and up to 40 people were on the footpath at the time.

The jury were shown dashcam footage taken from a passing vehicle, showing a man running towards the venue before firing a volley of shots into a group of people.

Mr El Nasher’s lawyer Damian Sheales said his client fired a gun but both tables were armed and the issue of self-defence would be raised.

John Desmond, acting for Mr Allouche, said there was no dispute his client fired a single round but it was aimed at the footpath.

“He was acting in defence of himself and in defence of another, that is El Nasher,” he added.

Ms Thomas said the men fled the scene and took action to cover up their involvement.

CCTV captured Mr El Nasher covering his face as he drove into his Port Melbourne apartment complex and wearing a different set of clothes after he left, the prosecutor said.

The following day, Ms Thomas said Mr El Nasher drove north with another man before he was arrested in Sydney on March 8.

She added Mr Allouche lied about his whereabouts to police following his arrest, claiming he was at home on the night of the shooting.

Families of both the victims and accused men were seated in the public gallery.

The trial before Justice Christopher Beale continues.