Man shot, another stabbed in violent night across Melbourne
A local kebab shop owner has been shot outside his Sunbury home in what police believe to be a random but planned attack. The grandfather is recovering in hospital.
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A shotgun used on an unsuspecting grandfather was dropped at the scene by the masked gunman, according to the victim’s family.
Yusuf Kucukbas, 59, is recovering at the Royal Melbourne Hospital after being shot in the calf at close range outside his Belleview Dr, Sunbury home about 1am on Saturday.
Mr Kucukabas, the long-time owner of Cheeky Kebabs, told family all he remembers is feeling “very cold” after the bullet tore through his flesh.
He was shot while shielding his wife, Sarah, from gunfire, just as they returned home from a wedding.
His niece Yeliz Pekin said: “He keeps saying he is grateful no one else was hurt.”
Mr Kucukabas’s family, including wife, two children, their partners and three grandchildren, live at the property and were home at the time of the ambush.
After shooting the grandfather, the gunman dropped his weapon on the nature strip before jumping into a getaway car.
The shotgun was seized by police, according to family.
The getaway car, believed to be a silver or white four-wheel drive with obscured number plates, was driven by a masked woman and seen in the area up to an hour before the shooting.
Both offenders remain on the run, with police yet to reveal any potential motive for the shooting.
Mr Kucukabas is well regarded in the community and has no known criminal associations.
His niece said he works 7am – 10pm six days a week at his Sunbury kebab shop and spends the rest of the time with family.
“I don’t know why anyone would want to hurt him,” she said.
“He just works and comes home. He doesn’t have a life outside his work and family.
“This shouldn’t happen to anyone, especially not him.
Relatives living interstate and in Turkey will fly to Melbourne to visit Mr Kucukabas.
His family and police urge anyone with information about the shooting to come forward.
The investigation continues.
The incident comes as three men were were shot in separate attacks across the city this week
One man, a 36-year-old from Ararat, was shot in the shoulder by police after he allegedly rammed two police vehicles.
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He was yesterday under police guard in hospital.
Another received a gunshot wound to his lower leg in Epping while a third man presented to a family member’s home in Melton with a wound to his back.
Neither of the victims have co-operated with police.
Anyone with information about the gun crimes is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.