Lalor man injured in targeted shooting in Fawkner believed to have gangland links

Shocked neighbours have spoken out after a Lalor man was shot in what police say was a targeted attack in Melbourne’s northern suburbs.

Police are investigating a shooting in Fawkner. Picture: Diego Fedele

The man wounded in a brazen daylight shooting in Melbourne’s north is believed to have gangland connections.

The Herald Sun understands that the 48-year-old Lalor man was shot in a targeted attack in Fawkner on Thursday morning after being lured to the area.

It is believed that the man was shot in the leg before emergency services were called to Denys St about 9.30am.

A large pool of blood stained the footpath on Thursday, but it is possible one or more gunmen opened fire on the man at a different nearby location.

The incident is being investigated by the armed crime squad and the injured man was taken to hospital with injuries described by police as serious but not life-threatening.

“Police believe this was a targeted incident and the investigation remains ongoing,” a Victoria Police statement said.

Despite the large pool of blood left on the footpath, the tenant said the victim didn’t live at the address or had ever visited the address.

The tenant, who only moved in last month, said he didn’t hear the incident, and was only aware it happened after police knocked on his door at about 12.30pm.

A man has been rushed to hospital after a brazen daylight shooting in Fawkner Thursday morning.

Another neighbour, who didn’t want to be named, said he was mowing the lawn at the time and also didn’t hear the gun shot but soon became aware something was happening.

“I just heard a guy yelling out and screaming,” he said. “I came out and a couple of electricians were with him trying to help him out.

“The guy had a pretty horrific hole in his leg.”

Another neighbour, who also didn’t want to be named, said she believed the victim may have been doing some work at the property, and was targeted in a drive-by attack

“That’s his ute still there I reckon,” she said.

“There have been workers there for days, working on the trees, I think he was one of them.

“It was a white car apparently, no one got out, every time I see a white car on the street now, I wonder.

“I have been living here for 51 years and never seen anything like this.”

An elderly neighbour who lives across the road said he heard the shooting take place.

“I was still in bed listening to the radio when I heard this loud bang,” he said.

“I was wondering what it was when I heard this high pitched screaming.

“So, I looked out of my blinds and I could see this big guy laying there next to the letterbox.

“I went out there and he had people with him and there was blood, and I didn’t known what I could do, so I just waited for the police.”

Anyone with information or CCTV/dashcam footage can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a report at crimestoppersvic.com.au