Vic shooters linked to Williams attack

Two men charged with attempting to murder a Melbourne police officer are also allegedly responsible for petrol bomb attacks near the home of the wife of slain drug kingpin Carl Williams.

A 22-year-old from Morwell and a 24-year-old Oak Park man will face Melbourne Magistrates Court charged with attempted murder on Tuesday.

The pair have also been charged with firearm and arson offences over a shooting attack on George Williams' home - Carl Williams' father - and petrol bomb attacks in Essendon.

"The men we have charged we firmly believe are responsible for the arson attacks and the recent events in those areas," Detective Superintendent Peter de Santo told reporters on Tuesday.

First constable Ben Ashmole, 31, was wounded when he was shot in the back of the head as he and his partner tried to intercept a four-wheel drive in Moonee Ponds on July 7.

The shooting took place just 10 minutes after gunshots were fired into the Broadmeadows home of George Williams.

A home near Roberta Williams' residence in Essendon was also firebombed in recent weeks.

Eight homes were searched across Pascoe Vale, Traralgon, Morwell, Strathmore, Cranbourne West and Glenroy on Tuesday.