Detectives from the Armed Crime Squad are today releasing CCTV and appealing for public assistance following a non-fatal shooting, road rage incident, ramming and subsequent collision in Fawkner in February.
A white Nissan Skyline and a black Cherry SUV are initially involved in a road rage incident on Lovely Street in Fawkner around 5.15pm on Thursday, 29 February.
Nobody is physically injured during the incident, and investigators are particularly keen to speak to anyone who recognises the occupants of the black SUV.
A short time later, the five male occupants of the white Nissan were sitting inside the vehicle at Charles Mutton Reserve, just off Tyrell Street, when their car was rammed by a gold Holden Rodeo about 6pm.
The four male occupants of the Holden then exit their vehicle before firing a number of shots in the direction of the five men, subsequently chasing them with baseball bats.
Around a minute and a half later, the four men return to their vehicle and flee the scene.
The five men who were inside the now significantly damaged white Nissan return to the vehicle, before two men exit the car and run from the scene on foot, and the remaining three speed away from the reserve.
A 19-year-old Clifton Hill man who was in the white Nissan later self-presented to a hospital with a non-life threatening gunshot wound to his upper body.
Approximately five minutes later, the gold Holden Rodeo collides with a red Mazda hatch on the Western Ring Road and Sydney Road on ramp. Nobody is physically injured during the incident, including the female occupant of the red Mazda.
The occupants exit the damaged vehicle and run from the scene. Investigators believe they were collected by a black SUV.
The gold Holden Rodeo, which had been previously stolen from a Bundoora address, was recovered by police at the scene.
Investigators are today releasing three clips of CCTV, including the initial road rage incident on Lovely Street in Fawkner at 5.15pm, and are hopeful someone may recognise the occupants of the black SUV and be able to provide information on their current whereabouts.
Investigators are also keen to speak to anyone who recognises any of the men who exit the gold Holden Rodeo and who flee the scene of the collision on the Western Ring Road.
Police believe the incident was targeted and that parties involved were likely known to each other.
Anyone with any information or who recognises the occupants of the black SUV or the men who exit the gold Holden Rodeo is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Quotes attributable to Detective Inspector Adam Tilley, Armed Crime Squad:
"This is a particularly concerning incident, especially given innocent members of the public were present. Such a reckless use of firearms had the potential for a significantly more devastating outcome.
"We believe it was a targeted incident, but we are keen to speak to anyone who has knowledge of those involved and what the motivation for the shooting might have been.
"If there are people out there with information about the incident or who may have CCTV or dashcam footage - particularly of the collision on the Western Ring Road at 6.10pm - who are yet to come forward, I'd urge those people to contact police and always, this can be done anonymously."
