‘He had a big heart’: Friend pays tribute to expectant father killed in drive-by shooting

A childhood friend of Aaron Toth, who was gunned down in a suspected targeted shooting in Hampton Park, says the expectant father was always putting others first.

Aaron Toth was killed in a drive by shooting in Hampton Park on the 27th April 2024. Source: Facebook

An expectant father killed in a drive-by shooting in Melbourne’s southeast has been remembered as a man with a “big heart” by a childhood friend.

Aaron Toth, 30, died in the early hours of Saturday morning following a suspected targeted shooting in Bridge Ave, Hampton Park shortly after midnight. 

The Cranbourne carpenter died at the scene, while his killers fled in a stolen Ford Ranger, which was found burnt out in Berwick about two hours later. 

Lifelong family friend, Jaye Robinson said wherever Mr Toth was, “there was always a good time to be had”. 

“There would be one thing that everyone would say about Aaron … that he had a big heart,” Mr Robinson told The Herald Sun. 

Aaron Toth was killed in a drive by shooting in Hampton Park on the 27th April 2024. Source: Facebook

“He was one to always help other(s) before himself. You may not (have) seen him or talked to him every day, but when you did, it was like it was just yesterday, going back to when we were kids playing soccer at my grandparents house or swimming in the pool at his (house).

“At school, as time went on, our paths kept crossing. From seeing each other out at the pub, to running amok in the area.”

When Mr Robinson’s mum passed away six months ago, it was Mr Toth’s generosity and willingness to lend a helping hand that has become one of Mr Robinson’s fondest memories of his beloved friend. 

“That will always be the best memories I will have of him,” he said. 

In the wake of Mr Toth’s death, loved-ones have rallied around his pregnant partner, setting up a GoFundMe page to cover funeral costs and support her as “she prepares for the arrival of their beautiful baby girl”. 

Investigations into Mr Toth’s death remain ongoing. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

Homicide Squad detectives attended the Hampton Park scene on Saturday. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

“Aaron was a friendly, funny and loving person who would do anything to help his family and friends. He was so loved and will be missed by many,” fundraiser organiser Layla Baker said. 

“We would love to be able to give back to his growing family by providing some financial relief in this difficult time.”

Long time friend of Mr Toth, Shae Jorgensen described him as the “life of the party” and a “jokester”, who was always the “fun one”. 

“This guy grew his wings a few days ago and it’s not until something significant like this happens that you realise even if you haven’t spoken in a few years but at some point in your life they were someone special,” she wrote in a touching tribute.

“You were an integral part of my childhood from the age of five and growing up into adulthood, the “cool kid” that would always take ownership of the soccer field and my grade four boyfriend!

“I hope you’re flying high and you watch over your beautiful bub when she enters this world! Rest easy darling boy, you’ll be missed by many.”

Investigations into Mr Toth’s murder are ongoing.