Gangland lawyer gunned down in Melb

A Melbourne gangland lawyer apparently executed outside his ice-cream parlour had a $200,000 bounty on his head.

Joseph "Pino" Acquaro had been warned by police his life was in danger and was gunned down in an apparent professional hit as he walked to his car after closing the Gelobar about 12.40am on Tuesday.

The 55-year-old's body was found on a footpath in East Brunswick by a rubbish truck driver nearly two hours later.

Mr Acquaro was a father of three with strong ties within the Calabrian community and had been president of Melbourne's Italian Chamber of Commerce and the Reggio Calabria Club.

He was also a criminal lawyer who had represented prominent gangland figures in Victoria.

Court documents show there was a $200,000 contract on his head.

Detective Inspector Michael Hughes told reporters at the scene on Tuesday that Mr Acquaro appeared to have been the subject of a targeted attack.

It is "always a concern when someone meets their death like this in a public place", he said.

He had taken over the popular gelateria and cafe on Lygon Street about five years ago, when former owner Salvatore Scullino died.

The Gelobar was damaged in a suspicious fire in January.

Det Insp Hughes, who did not identify Mr Acquaro, said the body found on St Phillip Street had suffered gunshot wounds.

He would not say how many bullets felled the slain lawyer, or what type of gun was used, preferring to leave that to an autopsy report.

Mr Acquaro was known to police but not as a convicted person, Det Insp Hughes said.

"He is known to police through other associations."

The detective said witnesses heard shots and the sound of a car travelling fast the wrong way up a one-way street, and police hoped others might be able to help solve the crime.

"So if anyone has seen cars in the area prior to the shooting, or just after the shooting, please contact Crime Stoppers."

Police spent the morning scouring the area for clues and will begin searching CCTV for signs of the driver.

Neighbouring restaurateur Teresa Bruno was devastated to hear about Mr Acquaro's death.

"He was such a beautiful person," she told AAP.

"I knew him since he started his business five years ago. He used to come here every week for dinner.

"Whenever he saw me he would offer me coffee."

Ms Bruno heard sirens about 3am on Tuesday morning but then fell asleep.

When she woke up she was told by her niece that the business owner and lawyer had been killed.

"All of the neighbours - we're shocked," Ms Bruno said.