Unsolved Sunshine West shooting murder of Toan Truong linked to organised drug syndicate

AN ORGANISED drug syndicate has been linked to unsolved murder in Melbourne’s west, where a man was gunned down at home in front of his pregnant wife and young son.

AN ORGANISED drug syndicate has been linked to unsolved murder in Melbourne’s west, where a man was gunned down at home in front of his pregnant wife and young son last year.

Homicide squad detectives believe the man who fatally shot at Toan Truong, 43, in Sunshine West was part of a syndicate targeting and burgling properties with hydroponic cannabis crops.

Sunshine West shooting victim Toan Truong was shot dead in front of his wife and son, 3. Picture: Nine News

Five men have since been charged with a range of offences involving firearms, including a Hillside man, 22, for an aggravated burglary in Deer Park in July this year; a man, 31, for a Caroline Springs aggravated burglary in August 2015, and three men in a separate aggravated burglary incident in August 2015.

Police believe people associated with the group are responsible for Mr Truong’s death.

The dad was asleep at his Allison St home with his wife and son, 3, on February 3 last year when an intruder was disturbed inside around 5am.

An impression of the man who killed Mr Truong, and two cars similar to vehicles of interest to police.

Mr Truong gave chase to a rear bedroom, where he was shot in front of his expecting wife and child.

The man fled the bloody scene in a dark-coloured sedan that police believe was parked nearby and was last seen heading towards Fitzgerald Rd.

Investigators later found that Mr Truong had constructed a hydroponic cannabis set-up in an upstairs bedroom, unknown to his wife.

The scene of the shooting at Allison St, Sunshine West. Picture: Tony Gough

Police revealed their suspicion that the offender was aware of Mr Truong’s secret crop while renewing their efforts to find the gunman on the anniversary of his death this year.

Two vehicles of interest were also seen travelling in convoy in the area about 45 minutes before the murder.

The vehicles are both believed to be dark-coloured, the first possibly a late model Ford Falcon sedan and the second possibly a BMW two-door coupe or similar.

Anyone with information in relation to the murder or may have seen those vehicles is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Originally published as Unsolved Sunshine West shooting murder of Toan Truong linked to organised drug syndicate