Man dead after 'targeted' shooting at Melbourne shops named
The man gunned down in a carpark ambush at a Melbourne shopping centre had links to the city's underworld, it has been revealed.
Robert Issa, 27, has been identified as the victim of the shooting as police investigate his connection to the turf war between organised crime syndicates.
Issa was sitting in a white Mercedes outside Craigieburn Central shopping centre on Windrock Avenue when four masked men approached the car about 3pm yesterday, police said.
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Robert Issa, 27, has been identified as the victim of the shooting as police investigate his connection to the current turf war between organised crime syndicates. Nine
Multiple shots were fired, hitting both men inside the car, according to police.
Issa died at the scene and a 28-year-old Hadfield man was taken to hospital in a serious condition.
It comes as police wage war on two powerful organised crime syndicates who have infiltrated the lucrative illegal tobacco trade.
"Let me be very clear and make no mistake: these criminal syndicates and their associated offending has the complete attention of Victoria Police and our partner agencies," Detective Superintendent Jason Kelly said.
"Police are aware of a number of major players.
"We'll keep working our way up to the top of these syndicates."
Bullet holes can be seen from the passenger side and rear window of a white Mercedes. Nine
People at the shopping centre at the time of the attacked said it was "scary" and "unreal".
"It freaked me out," one parent said.
Police believe four men fled in a black Range Rover Sport, which was later found torched in Westmeadows, about 12 kilometres away.
The men wearing balaclavas then hopped into a blue Toyota Corolla before dumping that vehicle in Reservoir near Merri Creek.
The shooting may have been targeted but locals are living in fear.
Last month Issa's family home was peppered with bullets while his parents slept inside.
Police say some of the disputes within the groups relate to illicit tobacco and illegal drugs.
A gunman is on the run after one man was fatally shot and another was injured in Melbourne. Nine
Police say Issa could be linked to either.
They're promising to crack down on two warring Middle Eastern organised crime gangs with links to bikies enlisting youth offenders to do their bidding, torching and extorting tobacco businesses.
Floral tributes have grown at the Craigieburn Central and a car space has been left empty, marking the spot where Issa took his last breath.
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