Melbourne's northern suburb of Wollert was rocked by a shocking gangland-style execution on Thursday, as a man was shot dead in broad daylight outside a local kindergarten. Witnesses described hearing multiple gunshots before the victim, believed to be connected to criminal networks, collapsed near the childcare centre.
'Deliberate and Targeted' Attack
Victoria Police have confirmed the shooting was a "deliberate and obviously targeted" attack, with homicide detectives treating the case as a potential organised crime hit. "This was not a random act of violence," a police spokesperson stated. "We believe the victim was specifically targeted by his assailants."
Children Present During Shooting
The brazen attack occurred just metres from Wollert Kindergarten, where staff and children were present at the time. Parents arriving to collect their children were met with a chaotic scene of police tape and forensic investigators.
"We heard what sounded like firecrackers at first," one shaken parent told reporters. "Then we saw a man lying on the ground near the car park. The staff acted quickly to get all the children inside."
Organised Crime Links Investigated
Detectives are examining possible connections to Melbourne's ongoing gang conflicts, with the victim's criminal history forming a key line of inquiry. Police have not released the man's identity pending formal identification and family notifications.
- Multiple crime scenes established across Wollert
- Forensic teams comb area for ballistic evidence
- Detectives review CCTV from nearby businesses
- Police increase patrols in northern suburbs
Community in Shock
Local residents expressed outrage at the brazen nature of the attack in what is normally a quiet family neighbourhood. "This isn't the sort of thing you expect to happen near a kindergarten," said one long-time Wollert resident. "It's terrifying to think this violence is coming to our doorstep."
Victoria Police have appealed for witnesses and any dashcam footage from the area around the time of the shooting. The Major Crime Scene remains active as investigators work to piece together the events leading to Melbourne's latest suspected gangland murder.
