Athan Boursinos, 21, killed in brazen daylight shooting in Wollert, Melbourne

A 21-year-old man killed in an ambush attack as he left his family home in Wollert in Melbourne’s north was an associate of tobacco boss Kazem “Kaz” Hamad.

Hit men who gunned down a suspected associate of tobacco boss Kazem “Kaz” Hamad in Melbourne’s latest gangland execution may have known their target was due to face court.

The killers remained on the run on Thursday night after shooting dead 21-year-old Athan Boursinos as he left his family home in Champions Pde, Wollert, in Melbourne’s north, about 9am Thursday.

He died as the gunman fled the scene in a vehicle that was later found torched in Amery Drive, Reservoir.

21-year-old Athan Boursinos was shot dead in Wollert.

Tobacco boss Kazem ‘Kaz’ Hamad.

A man has been shot and killed in a laneway at Wollert. Picture: Supplied

The shooting happened just before 9am. Picture: Nadir Kinani

Mr Boursinos, who is understood to have been affiliated with the exiled Hamad, is the son of a former Victoria Police officer.

The Herald Sun understands Mr Boursinos was leaving his home to appear in court when ambushed.

It can be revealed that he was facing drugs, weapons, theft and driving charges.

He was also due to appear next month on separate theft and driving offences.

Distressed family members spoke with detectives at the crime scene, which spanned a number of blocks.

Mr Boursinos’s girlfriend was inconsolable as she was comforted by a policewoman and distraught throughout the day, weeping on the phone as she informed others of her partner’s death.

“Please just let me see him,” she could be heard asking the officers at the scene.

Mr Boursinos’s girlfriend was inconsolable. Picture: Nadir Kinani

A man believed to be Mr Boursinos’ retired police officer father spoke with detectives outside the townhouse.

Neighbours say about eight shots were fired into the young man. The gunfire lasted for about 20 seconds.

Children and families were just 100m down the road at the Korin Korin Child and Family Centre.

Police said it was a ‘deliberate and targeted’ attack. Picture: Nadir Kinani

Police at the scene on Champions Parade. Picture: Nadir Kinani

Mr Boursinos’s body was lying on the ground next to a silver BMW with shattered glass as forensic specialists combed nearby Game Lane and the surrounding area for evidence and officers blocked traffic from Champions Pde and Phoenix Circuit.

As the latest in a string of alleged underworld murders, Mr Boursinos’s slaying could spark retaliatory attacks.

Bikie-turned-boxer Sam “The Punisher” Abdulrahim was gunned down in the carpark of a Preston hotel on January 28.

Earlier that month, the killers of organised crime figure Hawre Sherwani posed as police to ambush him in Caroline Springs.

A torched car was found possibly related to the shooting. Picture: Jason Edwards

The torched car was found on Amery Drive in Reservoir. Picture: Jason Edwards

Detective Inspector Dean Thomas, of the homicide squad, said Mr Boursinos’s murder was a brazen killing, and that the victim was known to police.

“It appears very deliberate and targeted,” he said.

Inspector Thomas asked witnesses to come forward.

“If anybody was in the Wollert area at around that time, if they saw anything suspicious or something that just didn’t look quite right … anyone that might have dashcam footage, if they can please come forward and share that information with us,” he said.

Neighbours have been speaking with police. Picture: Nadir Kinani

If Mr Boursinos’s killers had tracked his court ­appointments, it would not be the first time a hit team used such tactics.

In 2006, police believed gangland figure Mario Condello’s killers ambushed him in his driveway as he adhered to a court-imposed curfew.

In 2003, career criminal and self-described “vampire” sex worker Shane Chartres-Abbott was shot as he left his Reservoir home for a court date.

Originally published as Athan Boursinos, 21, killed in brazen daylight shooting in Wollert, Melbourne