Concern growing over Victoria’s horror gun violence

Concerns are growing over terrifying gun violence that has swept the state in the past six months. See the full list of attacks in 2022.

Police at the scene in Epping where multiple shots were fired into a car and house. Picture: David Crosling

Police have growing concerns over Victoria’s terrifying gun violence as more than a dozen firearm attacks have swept the state over the past six months.

There have been at least six fatal shootings this year including the tragic deaths of Duwayne Johnson, Marty Sheahan, Saumotu Gasio and Korey Kesici.

Homicide Squad Detective Inspector Dean Thomas said police were concerned over the number of gun crimes in Victoria.

“Victoria Police is very concerned when firearms are used in the commission of any crime, particularly violent crimes like we have seen,” he said.

“But I can assure the community that Victoria Police is working very hard in relation to those matters.”

Insp Thomas said the offenders responsible needed to be identified and bought before a court as he urged the public to report illegal firearm holders.

“We ask that they show some leadership and responsibility and they pass that information onto Crime Stoppers,” he said.

“They can do that anonymously, their identity will never be known.

“We do rely on information from the public to assist us to focus on these individuals.”

Insp Thomas said the Illicit Firearm Squad was working hard to identify firearm offenders but he said the number of non-fatal shootings had dropped compared to previous years.

“However one non-fatal shooting is one too many or one fatal shooting is one too many,” he said.

“It’s something we continue to focus on … to minimise the harm to the community.”

Victorian crimes involving guns in 2022

June 29

An argument took place hours before a man was gunned down on a street in Melbourne’s southeast on June 29.

The man was found dead on Lecky St in Cranbourne after neighbours reported hearing multiple gunshots.

A 49-year-old man was arrested and was assisting police with their inquiries.

June 29

Multiple gun shots were fired into an Epping home as part of an escalating dispute between two allegedly warring youth gangs in Melbourne’s north.

Ten shots were fired into a house and a car on Broadleaf Drive shortly after 2am on June 29.

The property that was shot at was the family home of Murtada “Monty” Alessawi.

The 18-year-old teenager allegedly fired an SKS assault rifle into a Pascoe Vale home on June 14.

A shocking image of Sam “The Punisher” Abdulrahim’s gunshot wounds.

June 25

Former Mongols bikie Sam Abdulrahim was shot in a brazen daylight ambush while at a cousin’s funeral in Melbourne’s northern suburbs.

The 32-year-old was shot up to eight times, including to the chest and stomach, while at the funeral in Fawkner Cemetery on June 25.

Dashcam footage taken just moments before Abuldrahim, whose nickname is “The Punisher”, was gunned down shows a grey Mazda pull out of the convoy leaving the cemetery and stop alongside the former Mongol’s black Mercedes G-Class 4WD, peppering it with bullets.

June 14

Murtada “Monty” Alessawi allegedly fired an SKS assault rifle into a home in a terrifying shootout among warring youth gangs in Melbourne’s northern suburbs.

The 18-year-old is accused of firing more than 20 rounds from the semiautomatic rifle into a rival’s Heather St home in Pascoe Vale in the early hours of June 14.

Five bullets travelled almost 1km, peppering the homes of innocent people in Coburg North.

Police said it was a miracle no-one was caught in the crossfire.

It is alleged the shooting was part of escalating gun violence between two groups.

May 16

A man threatened two people with a handgun in a West Footscray apartment building.

It’s believed the man, wearing a distinctive red jumper, followed the pair into the underground parking structure on Roberts Rd about 8.50pm on May 16.

He allegedly drew a handgun from his waistband, pointing the firearm at a man and woman, aged in their 20s, who were attempting to park a car.

Detectives released CCTV of the distressing incident that involved an offender, perceived to be caucasian, in his late 40s.

May 15

A 49-year-old man is expected to be charged with a string of offences after police allegedly seized 18 firearms from a property in northern Victoria, as part of an operation focusing on firearm compliance.

Police carried out a number of firearm storage compliance checks at properties across the Swan Hill area on May 15.

While visiting an address in Nyah, police allegedly found a number of unsecured firearms, several loaded firearms, unsecured ammunition, and a silencer.

A Nyah man is expected to be charged via summons with numerous firearms offences.

May 7

A man was discovered with multiple wounds to his upper body in what police believe was a targeted shooting in Melton on May 7.

Another man, Abil Malovski, handed himself in to police where he was charged with attempted murder, reckless conduct endangering life, intentionally causing serious injury and prohibited use of a firearm.

Korey Kesici was shot dead in Mickleham.

May 5

Korey Kesici was shot outside his family’s property in Melbourne’s north on May 5.

CCTV footage revealed that 12 shots were fired at Mr Kesici who had approached a BMW to talk to two men on Bangalore Way in Mickleham.

It is believed Mr Kesici’s murder was linked to an Middle Eastern organised crime wave.

The Herald Sun has been told the attack was spurred by ill-will over a perception Mr Kesici was betraying confidences within the underworld.

April 18

Two people have been charged after a crash in Port Melbourne allegedly led to the discovery of a loaded firearm.

Police were told a blue Hyundai sedan was stationary between an emergency lane and road, blocking the left lane at Todd Rd on April 18.

It was then struck by a merging grey Holden station wagon.

The occupants of the sedan allegedly fled the scene.

A knife and firearm were located inside the Hyundai and police arrested two people at a nearby bus stop.

April 16

An Epping man was left fighting for life after he was shot on the doorstep of a northern suburbs home.

It’s understood the 22-year-old was shot on Dorothy Ave in Thomastown in a suspected drive-by shooting on April 16.

Bloodstains and bullet holes were seen at the property as Armed Crime Squad detectives and forensic officers continued their investigation.

February 21

A man has been charged after he allegedly targeted a luxury car during a road rage attack in Melbourne’s southeast.

Police allege a white Audi sedan was shot at while driving along Narre Warren-Cranbourne Rd in Narre Warren near Norfolk Drive about 5pm on February 21.

It’s believed the alleged shot came from a white 2008 Toyota Hilux ute travelling north.

The driver was not hit but his car sustained damage.

February 15

Three men were arrested in a series of house visits where police targeted banned firearms users, with some found to be allegedly still in possession of the weapons.

Police conducted Operation Engaged on February 15 and 16, as part of an ongoing focus on community safety.

Officers visited five homes in Ringwood and Croydon and made three arrests.

Marty Sheahan was shot at close range at the entrance of his Clarke Ave home.

January 26

A Yarra Ranges Council worker was shot by a disgruntled former colleague at his home in Melbourne’s far east.

The gunman — who took his own life soon after the incident — carried out the execution of Marty Sheahan on January 26 after years of festering over an incident at the council.

Heath Sheahan said his father was “one of the best” and that he would never stop loving or missing him.

January 16

Duwayne Johnson was shot at a house in Wodonga before he was mowed down by a car.

A 25-year-old man was arrested in Ascot Vale over his death that occurred on January 16.

Mr Johnson’s older brother Clancy Charles said Duwayne’s death had caused “a lot of pain” among his extended family and friends.

January 13

A man was charged with two counts of murder after he allegedly shot two people in Mordialloc on January 13.

Emergency Services were called to an address in McDonald St after reports of gunshots.

On arrival police found two people, including Saumotu Gasio, with critical injuries who were treated at the scene but later died.

Police searched the area and confronted a 73-year-old, who pointed a gun at them.

One officer fired a shot but it did not hit the man, who retreated inside a property, before he later surrendered.