Sam ‘The Punisher’ Abdulrahim shot dead in Preston car park

Gangland figure Sam “The Punisher” Abdulrahim has been shot dead in a car park in Preston, after years of being pursued by his enemies and multiple attempts on his life.

Melbourne’s most-hunted gangland figure Sam “The Punisher” Abdulrahim has been shot dead in a daylight execution in the city’s northeast.

Abdulrahim, 32, was shot in the head in an ambush in the car park of Quest Hotel in High St, Preston, about 10am on Tuesday.

His killers fled north along High St in a white Porsche, which was later found torched in Reservoir.

Homicide Squad Detective Inspector Dean Thomas said police performed CPR on Abulrahim, but he died at the scene.

Abdulrahim was walking toward his car before multiple offenders approached on foot and shot him several times, including once in the head.

Sam ‘The Punisher’ Abdulrahim was shot dead in a Preston car park. Picture David Geraghty

Emotional friends and family of Abdulrahim gather at the site of the shooting. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Police talk with Abdulrahim’s associates. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

The sprawling Preston crime scene. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

The Porsche believed to have been used in the shooting was found torched in Reservoir shortly after 10.30am near the intersection of Northernhay and Alexandra Streets. Picture: Tony Gough

The bikie-turned-boxer was with his girlfriend, who escaped unharmed.

“She did her best to render first aid,” Inspector Thomas said.

Abdulrahim had been staying at the Quest for one night before his execution.

Inspector Thomas said he was unsure how the offenders knew of his location on Tuesday morning.

“Who has known, how has that information been shared … will be part of our investigation,” he added.

Abdulrahim had been under threat of death for years with multiple contracts on his life.

Inspector Thomas said police had continued to warn Abdulrahim of the danger he faced each day, and agreed when asked if it was just matter of time before the former bikie was murdered.

Abdulrahim had survived several attempts on his life in recent years.

“I think common sense prevails here, perhaps (it was a matter of time),” he added.

“We had nothing, at this stage, to suggest there was a live threat that was imminent. Because if we did, we would have done what we could to share that information with him.

“Also, we need to be conscious that he is aware that his life had been at risk … he was provided with options.

“Each time that Victoria Police has been made aware of any live threats to this particular male, safety messaging has been provided to him with a number of options provided.”

He said while there were “always concerns” for retaliation attacks, detectives had no evidence to suggest a revenge attack was imminent.

Abdulrahim had stayed at Quest for one night before he was murdered. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

The crime scene on High Street, Preston. Andrew Henshaw

Mr Abdulrahim’s body was transported out of the Quest carpark in a coroner’s van just before 7pm on Tuesday, closely followed by a police car.

Acquaintances of the deceased remained at the scene as his body was removed.

A white Mercedes was removed from the Preston property on a tow truck just before 8:30pm.

A coroner’s van leaving the Quest. Picture: Josie Hayden

A white Mercedes is towed from the scene. Picture: Josie Hayden

Punisher’s history of near misses

The former Mongol bikie had been living on the move since two shootings at his former family home in Thomastown last year.

One of those was a near-fatal ambush in which 17 shots were fired at the ex-kickboxer in a dead-of-night attack after he was lured from the property by a hit team.

Among Abdulrahim’s enemies were Middle Eastern organised crime big shots Kazem Hamad and Ahmed Al Hamza.

Much of the animosity stems back to the 2016 murder of northern suburbs drug trafficker Kadir Ors outside Campbellfield Plaza.

Allies of Ors believed Abdulrahim had arranged to meet the victim at the shopping centre so he would be in position for the brutal shooting, carried out by feared crime boss George Marrogi.

Abdulrahim had been in the gun for several years and survived several attempts on his life.

Gunmen shot him eight times as he left his cousin’s funeral in Fawkner in June 2022.

They infiltrated the memorial and tracked Abdulrahim’s car as he left the cemetery before driving up alongside his black Mercedes and opening fire.

Abdulrahim after surviving the shooting in Fawkner.

The bullet holes in Abdulrahim’s car after the shooting. Picture: Brendan Beckett

In February last year, it was revealed “The Punisher” had multiple contracts on his head after a Thornbury venue set to hold a boxing match in his bid for a world title was burnt down.

Then, in May, two crews lured Abdulrahim out of his Thomastown home by setting his parents’ cars on fire while they were parked outside their Brunswick home.

Meanwhile, the second group of assailants lay in wait outside the Thomastown property, firing at the underworld figure 17 times, missing each time as he stormed out of his home and confronted them as they sped away.

Police outside Abdulrahim’s Thomastown home after an attempt on his life last year. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

Up to 17 shots were fired outside Abdulrahim’s home. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

Just weeks later, gunmen returned to his vacant home and shot into the house again, but this time Abdulrahim was nowhere to be found.

The former Mongol-turned-boxer fled overseas and was understood to have spent time in Thailand and Malaysia before at times returning to Melbourne.

Abdulrahim’s social media presence vanished in recent months before he re-emerged online, sharing updates about his boxing training.

One of Abdulrahim’s associates who visited the scene of the shooting on Tuesday but did not want to be named said he constantly warned him of the threats to his life.

He said Abdulrahim was not phased by the many murder attempts and almost accepted the fact he was marked for death.

The associate, who had known “The Punisher” for five years, spoke of his loving nature and caring attitude toward those he respected.

Abdulrahim’s sister, Ektimal Abdulrahim, took to social media on Tuesday afternoon to send a message to his killers.

“Whoever shot my brother to death, I’m after u mother f---er,” she posted.

“I know it’s u dog. Never ends here.”

In a post on social media, Abdulrahim’s high profile ex, Married At First Sight contestant Jessika Power, said she was thinking of The Punisher’s family and loved ones.

“I feel physically sick,” she posted. “Please let’s take a moment to think about his family, his wife and child.

“Thank you for all your messages, but this is the worst thing to hear, and I want to be respectful to the people he loved and cared for most.”

Originally published as Sam ‘The Punisher’ Abdulrahim shot dead in Preston car park