A fatal shooting took place near a childcare centre on Champions Parade in Wollert, with the victim identified by Australian media as 21-year-old Athan Boursinos.
Inspector Dean Thomas, head of the Homicide Squad, said police believe there was an altercation between two men in Game Lane, an alleyway behind Champions Parade, shortly before 9am on Thursday morning.
The attacker allegedly shot and killed the man before fleeing the scene in a vehicle.
“We also have reports that a vehicle was found burnt on Amery Street in Reservoir. We don’t yet know if it’s connected to this morning’s incident,” Thomas stated.
“We’re now trying to piece everything together to identify those responsible.”
The incident is “being investigated as a fatal shooting. It appears to have been very deliberate and clearly targeted,” he added.
Later, 9News reported that Athan Boursinos was shot just metres from his family home in Wollert.
According to reports, he was leaving in his BMW vehicle when he was ambushed and shot by an unknown man.
Neighbours reported hearing around eight gunshots. Just 100 metres from the scene is the Korin Korin Child and Family Centre.
The Herald Sun described the shooting as an “organised hit”, suggesting the perpetrators may have known that the 21-year-old—reportedly the son of a former police officer—was due to appear in court.
He was reportedly facing charges related to drugs, firearms possession, theft, and traffic offences.
The newspaper also noted this isn’t the first time such tactics have been used by criminal networks in Melbourne. In 2006, Mario Condello was gunned down outside his home while on bail. In 2003, Shane Chartres-Abbott was killed in Reservoir on his way to court.
Police are urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
