Young man shot dead in brazen Melbourne laneway ambush identified

A young man shot dead in a daylight assassination in a Melbourne laneway this morning has been identified.

Athan Boursinos, 21, was gunned down just metres from his family home on Champions Parade in Wollert about 9am.

9News understands Boursinos was leaving in his BMW when he was ambushed and hit with up to eight bullets by an unknown male.

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Emergency services tried to revive Boursinos, but he was declared dead at the scene.

The offender fled in a vehicle, police said.

9News understands Boursinos is suspected of being involved in the murder of underworld figure Sam "The Punisher" Abdulrahim in January.

"It appears very deliberate and targeted," police said.

Detectives found a burnt-out vehicle on Amery Street in Reservoir, which they believe was this morning's killer's getaway car.

A crime scene has been established in Wollert.

Members of the community are asked to avoid the area.

No arrests have been made at this stage.

Police assured residents that there is no threat to the community.

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