By Kristie Sullivan
The owner of a cafe in Melbourne’s north-eastern suburbs that was sprayed with bullets in a drive-by shooting early on Sunday morning says he has no idea why his family business was shot at.
Ivanhoe East cafe Picket Fence was closed at the time and no one was inside when the shots were fired from a car.
Cafe owner Fidel Takla surveys a bullet hole at his cafe. Credit: Chris Hopkins
“It is understood a vehicle stopped in front of the business before several shots were fired at a cafe on Lower Heidelberg Road just before 6am,” police said in a statement.
“No one was inside the cafe and no one was injured.”
Police are investigating if the incident was targeted.
But Picket Fence owner Fidel Takla told The Age he had no idea why his business was shot at.
Shots were fired into the Picket Fence cafe in Ivanhoe East on Sunday morning. Credit: Chris Hopkins
“None in the slightest. I hope it’s a case of mistaken identity,” Takla said.
“It’s a family business, and we have been close to the community for six years.”
Takla said police had obtained security footage from the area.
A window, walls and coffee machine were damaged in the shooting, he said.
Fidel Takla says the cafe’s window, walls and coffee machine were damaged in the shooting.Credit: Chris Hopkins
He did not know when the cafe would be able to reopen.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has dashcam/CCTV footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or file a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
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