Two men charged over alleged aggravated burglary at Hoppers Crossing

Three men have been arrested over an alleged violent home invasion in Melbourne’s west that left two men in hospital with gunshot wounds.

Two men have been charged over an alleged violent home invasion in Hoppers Crossing.

On Wednesday afternoon the special operations group along with the dog squad helped arrest three males over the Bayview Crescent confrontation.

A 21-year-old St Albans man was charged with affray and firearm and drug related offences.

A 19-year-old St Albans man was charged with affray.

The duo will face Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

A 17-year-old male was interviewed and released pending further inquiries.

It is alleged two men suffered gunshot wounds and a third was stabbed about 8.45pm on March 21.

A Detective talks to a neighbour near the scene of a shooting in Hoppers Crossing. Picture: David Geraghty

On Wednesday, police executed warrants at two St Albans addresses and one home in Tarneit.

A semiautomatic handgun and drugs of dependence were allegedly seized from one of the St Albans addresses.

Police believe the incident was targeted and the investigation remains ongoing.

Detective Acting Inspector Chris Ellway from the Armed Crime Squad on March 22 said police were hunting up to six suspects who allegedly used a shotgun and several knives and machetes in the attack.

A garage door was damaged during a violent home invasion. Picture: David Geraghty

Mr Ellway said a group of friends who were known to police had gathered at the home when the bloody fight broke out.

“We don’t really know what the circumstances are at the moment,” he said.

“But we do believe it is a targeted attack.”

Detectives seized multiple weapons at the scene.

Early investigations suggested that the alleged attackers used a silver ute to ram the home’s garage door.

It is unclear whether the ute was stolen before the fight.

A 29-year-old man was stabbed in the confrontation, while a 23-year-old man was shot in the leg.

A 19-year-old man was taken to hospital with upper body injuries.

Police arrested four people on March 22 but later released them as police believe there were witnesses to the attack.

Forensic Police at the scene in Bayview Crescent home. Picture: David Geraghty

Mr Ellway said it was “very concerning” that the suspects remained on the run.

As of the afternoon on March 22, police had not identified any of the six potential offenders.

“It’s concerning for the community,” he said.

“It’s also very concerning for Victoria Police and we do take that seriously, and we throw every resource we can to identify them and bring them into account.

“We do believe however, that it is a targeted attack on the on the occupants of that address, and the people involved will be known to the victims.

“We’re still trying to determine the circumstances behind it but certainly we’re investigating all avenues leading up to the other victims known to police.

“We have seized a number of exhibits from the scene and it will take some time to determine what which ones were used.”

Police believe up to 13 people were at the home when the alleged attack unfolded.

Mr Ellway said police cordoned off such a large area surrounding the home because the attackers fled in “all directions from the home once the incident started unfolding”.

Atem Atem was killed in a home invasion at Wyndham Vale in February.

CCTV will form a significant part of the investigations, with investigators searching for footage that captured the incident.

The incident follows the shootings of Atem Atem, 29, and Ayuel Akuei, 22, in Carmichael Drive on February 11.

In that attack three vehicles approached the house before a large group of masked intruders got out and opened fire on the victims in the garage.

A pet dog was also shot during the incident.

The alleged murders of Mr Atem and Mr Akuei remain unsolved.

Police cordoned off a large section of the street at Hoppers Crossing on the morning of March 22 morning, as well as a park across from the house.

Four members from the Viper task force — which targets outlaw gangs — were seen holding discussions with a Detective.

The task force was launched last year in a crackdown on street and organised crime.

The home was left with a busted garage, damaged window and dishevelled curtains.

Police at Hoppers Crossing on March 22. Picture: David Geraghty

A light beside the front door was left switched on.

Neighbours who reside before the taped-off area suggested locals steered clear of the occupants of the house.

“I think everyone avoids them — that’s what I’d say,” one woman said.

Another describing the chaos said he heard lots of “banging and tyres screeching off”.

An elderly woman on Bayview Crescent said she had never spoken to the residents of the home but hinted the night of March 21’s mayhem was symptomatic of problems in the area.

“This is our life,” she said.

Multiple neighbours said they avoided even walking past the home out of fear of being “harassed”.

It’s understood three shots were fired during the violent scenes.

Detectives were still door knocking neighbours into the afternoon on March 22.

Detectives from the Victoria Police armed crime squad are investigating.

Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.