The fatal shooting of an organised crime figure on a suburban street has been linked to several previous attacks amid fears underworld tensions are set to boil over.
Hawre Sherwani was left critically wounded on Heysen Park Way in Caroline Springs, in Melbourne’s western suburbs, about 10.30pm on Thursday.
The 33-year-old later died in hospital.
Police said Mr Sherwani was known to them and the shooting was a targeted attack, with the crime scene riddled with bullet casings across a wide area.
He is believed by investigators to have been an associate of 27-year-old Robert Issa, shot dead outside a busy shopping centre at Craigieburn in Melbourne’s north in October 2023.
In an attack likely linked to Melbourne’s long-running illegal tobacco wars, four balaclava-clad men surrounded Mr Issa’s Mercedes SUV, firing multiple shots into the passenger side and rear windows as shocked shoppers looked on.
Another man, a 28-year-old from Hadfield, was taken to hospital in a serious condition.
Police at the time called the deadly ambush – which has not resulted in any arrests – frightening, particularly serious and concerning.
A car with multiple bullet holes on the driver’s side was found at the scene of the latest shooting. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)
Detective Superintendent Janet Stevenson said police were investigating several previous incidents in which Mr Sherwani was targeted.
They included a shooting at Fraser Rise, in the city’s west, in March 2024, when shots were fired at him.
Two men were also charged after Mr Sherwani was assaulted next to Deer Park Bypass in Ravenhall in July 2023.
Det Supt Stevenson said there were fears the latest killing could trigger further gangland retaliation.
“We’re concerned because this has been going on for a bit, so we’ve got many concerns about that,” she said.
“It’s brazen, it’s irresponsible and yet very targeted but very concerning (for) people of this neighbourhood.”
Bullet casings and a firearm were scattered across a residential street where a man was shot dead. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)
A torched Tiguan Volkswagen found at Fraser Rise on Thursday was believed to be connected to the shooting.
One of the people involved in the gunfire might have been injured while fleeing the scene and sustained serious injuries as a result of a collision, police said.
The vehicle is believed to have been stolen from a house in Clyde North, in Melbourne’s southeast, in November.
Police believe at least one offender was injured in the shooting spree.
“We do urge them to get medical assistance and it’s very important that they do that because it could be quite serious injuries,” Det Supt Stevenson said.
Police closed off the scene of the shooting as they investigated. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)
Several residents, who did not want to be named, said the street was usually quiet and had not previously been the site of criminal activity.
One man said the victim had door-knocked several houses seeking help from neighbours who attempted to administer first aid.
Police cordoned off the area and established a crime scene.
Detectives were seen examining a white Volkswagen, its driver’s side door riddled with bullet holes, parked across a nature strip.