Cops closing in on drive-by murder suspects

New details have been revealed in the probe into the unsolved botched drive-by shooting that killed a Thomastown dad, as cops eye an arrest.

Rashad Adra was killed when shots were fired into his Thomastown home. Picture: Supplied

Killer thugs used the same machine gun to twice spray the wrong houses as part of a deadly campaign of terror.

Homicide squad detectives believe they are close to solving the drive-by murder of Rashad Adra, who suffered fatal injuries as he slept with his wife and son.

Mr Adra, 54, and his four-year-old boy were wounded when a shooter sprayed their Darebin Drive, Thomastown, home early on October 27, 2015.

The bullets passed through a front window, an interior wall and furniture before hitting Mr Adra and his son about 3am.

The Herald Sun can reveal ballistics testing later confirmed the same high-powered assault rifle was used to blast another house on Darebin Drive a week earlier.

Vehicles suspected of being connected to the shootings were found burnt out on the outskirts of Melbourne’s northern suburbs. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Bullet holes marked by forensic police show where they entered Mr Adra’s house. Picture: Ian Currie

A bullet narrowly missed a young girl in that case.

Investigators believe that house was also not connected with the intended victim.

In both cases, vehicles suspected of being connected to the botched shootings were found incinerated in the same area on the rural outskirts of Melbourne’s northern suburbs.

Detecgive Sergeant Simon Quinnel of the homicide squad said a number of “persons of interest” in the inquiry had been questioned in the past seven years.

Sgt Quinnel said the boy had climbed into bed with his parents in the middle of the night after being unable to sleep.

“You wouldn’t think you’d have a safer spot than in bed snuggled up with your mum and dad,” he said.

Mr Adra woke up after being struck and said to his wife: “I think I’ve been shot.”

She thought he was joking but moments later saw the awful evidence he was not.

Sgt Quinnel said it was believed the intention of the shooter was to cause property damage.

“There were no persons in sight who could have been a target,” he said.

Sgt Quinnel said he could not outline everything he knew for operational reasons but that police were not far off being able to lay charges.

Public help from those in the know would help take that next step, he said

“I feel that we’re close. It’s fair to say we have a circumstantial case but we want that little bit more,” Sgt Quinnel said.

“We know a lot of people know a lot about the persons involved. I think everybody is angry that mistakes were made. Innocent people fell victim.”

Police believe at least one other person, most likely the driver of the vehicles used, would have been involved.

“It’s clear the shooter would have required assistance,” Sgt Quinnel said.

Police at the scene of the Darebin Drive shooting in 2015. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Mr Adra came to Australia from Lebanon in 1986 because of the kind of country Australia was.

His brother Jihad said there was “no excuse whatsoever” for what had happened on Darebin Drive.

“That was the reason we migrated. Because it was a safe country. You hear about this in America and the Middle-east,” Jihad said.

Rashad came to Australia in 1986 and spent 20 years working at the Ford automotive factory as a foreman.

Jihad described him as a calm, well-mannered man who did things by the book.

He had no history with the police.

“We’re honest people ... hardworking people,” Jihad said.

“Please come forward if you know anything. It’s not fair. They’ve killed an innocent person and injured a child.”

Sgt Quinnel said information could be given anonymously if that was required.

Anyone able to help can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit crimestoppersvic.com.au.