Melbourne criminal Gavin Preston slain in cafe shooting

A suspected underworld murder of Gavin Preston in Melbourne came as Daniel Andrews said the city remained ‘safe’.

Underworld figure Gavin Preston has been gunned down in front of local residents.

A “targeted” drive-by shooting outside a residential cafe in Melbourne has left underworld figure Gavin Preston dead at the scene and another man fighting for life.

Preston is understood to have been dining outside Sweet Lulus Cafe with two other men just before 10am on Saturday when a black Audi SUV pulled up near the trio and its occupants opened fire in front of dozens of local residents.

Also yesterday, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews urged Victorians the city remains a “safe” place in the wake of the Bourke Street tragedy that occurred late on Friday.

Crime command acting Superintendent Mark Hatt confirmed the daring, broad-daylight shooting was a “targeted attack” against Preston and one of the “friends” at the cafe.

The other man shot, believed to be in his 20s, was later admitted to hospital with serious injuries and was in surgery on Saturday afternoon.

Superintendent Hatt said at least two people dressed in dark, black clothing had shot multiple times at their victims before they piled back into the SUV and fled from the scene.

He said the attackers drove to a quiet residential street only minutes away from the cafe, where police had found the car “dumped” on the kerb.

A police spokesman at the scene near the car said it appeared someone had attempted to set the Audi alight, with scorch marks appearing near the back right tyre of the car.

Another car was also found as part of the police investigation, however it is not known in what capacity the car was used during or after the attack.

Forensic police at the scene. Picture: David Crosling

With one underworld figure now dead, there are fears further revenge attacks are likely to follow after police confirmed the incident was tied to organised crime.

“The offenders were there to shoot the two males that were shot,” Superintendent Hatt said.

“Given the circumstances we believe it is linked to organised crime and that will form part of our investigation going forward.”

Superintendent Hatt said it was unfortunate the shooting had taken place in such a public arena and in front of so many people.

“There were a number of other people dining at the time, unfortunately it has taken place in such a public manner and we believe there are many witnesses to the incident,” he said.

One witness working at a shop across from the scene heard and later witnessed CCTV footage of the events as they unfolded, adding that he had seen the Audi SUV circling in the car park close to the cafe moments prior to the shooting.

Scene of a fatal shooting in Keilor. Picture: David Crosling

Harrison Aylward told The Australian he saw at least one shooter get out of the car and fire at the victims from close range before fleeing the area.

“A bloke just jumps out, lays a bit of lead into some of the blokes and jumps back in,’’ Mr Aylward said.

He said when he initially heard the shots, he thought it was the sound of a car “backfiring”, running from his workplace to check and see what the commotion was about.

Mr Aylward was surprised such a vicious attack had occurred in Keilor Village, describing the area as relatively quiet.

“You don’t really expect too much to happen here,” he said.

Police keep watch on an Audi Q5 in a nearby street.

Residents were left reeling after this morning’s events with one local shop owner saying she fled her shop after she heard the shots next door to her cafe.

A local Australian rules football grand final was being played only a couple hundred meters away from the scene at Keilor Football Oval, with police seen interviewing witnesses outside the confines of the ground.

It is understood multiple people known to the deceased, and possible witnesses to the incident, had tried to enter the scene after police had commenced their investigation.

Some of the group were detained by police and at least one man was handcuffed and placed into the back of a police vehicle.

One witness, who wished to not be named, said he heard a woman yell “don’t tell them nothing (sic)” as she was handcuffed and brought to the ground by police.