The man behind a double-murder-suicide in a rural Victorian town pleaded with authorities to take action a week before the crime, police investigating the case have heard.
Travis Cashmore, 45, allegedly opened fire on two men before taking his life in Kirkstall, in south-west Victoria, on July 22.
The victims were Kevin Knowles, 49, a notorious career criminal, and Benjamin Ray, 48.
Evidence uncovered by the ABC and verified by police reveal Mr Cashmore had pleaded with police to take action against the pair the week before the events that left the three men dead.
Mr Cashmore had allegedly filmed Mr Knowles breaching an intervention order against a close friend on July 20.
Detective Senior Constable Craig Wastell confirmed Mr Cashmore took the evidence to the Koroit police station and made an official statement.
But his father, Ron Cashmore, said his son's concerns were dismissed and no action was taken.
Police are investigating the claims.
Kirkstall murder victims 'terrorised' shooter before attack, police hear
Police understand Mr Knowles had been turning up to Mr Cashmore's home unannounced. On at least one occasion, Mr Knowles threatened Mr Cashmore with a knife.
Ron Cashmore said his son became so anxious he installed security lights and would fear leaving his home unattended.
"If Knowles asked him for something and he reneged he would bring out his knife," he told the ABC.
"What he did to Travis was out of this world, you wouldn't believe it. He terrorised and harassed him."
Their two properties are one kilometre apart and joined by a common creek.
"Knowles would stand in Travis's yard, he'd ask for money, he knew where he hid his keys ... Travis began to think he had cameras on him. He became paranoid," Ron Cashmore said.
Mr Knowles served jail time earlier this year for threatening to kill his neighbour and waving a knife at him and was due to appear in court on further charges this week.
His criminal history spanned 50 pages and he had hundreds of prior convictions.
He has been officially linked with the deaths of two people, including a brutal assault that led to the death of Stephen Johnston in Warrnambool in 2016, and the drowning of his then-partner Amanda Bourke at a remote beach in Killarney in 2018.
While charges were never laid against Mr Knowles in either case, police, the coroner and Ms Bourke's family had raised suspicions about his involvement.
Ms Bourke had been the only other person present with Mr Knowles the night Mr Johnston sustained more than 100 fatal injuries. She drowned while swimming with Mr Knowles two years later.
Retired detective Colin Ryan said he had many dealings with Mr Knowles during his policing career.
"He was a standover man — a thug and a bully," Mr Ryan said.
More than a dozen residents, who did not want to be identified for this story, told the ABC the community was terrified of Mr Knowles and the town of Kirkstall had changed since he moved into the area around 10 years ago.
The other victim, Mr Ray, was not from the area and was staying with Mr Knowles at the time of the shooting.
Police would not be drawn on Mr Ray's involvement with the other two men.
His aunty, Jillian Ray, said her nephew Mr Ray had just bought a house in Dubbo, which he'd planned to move into in the coming days.
"He was only going back to Warrnambool for a day to pick some things up, then I got the phone call he had been killed," she said through tears.
"I was in shock.
"He had horrific injuries. He was identified by his tattoo and his finger prints."
Ms Ray said her nephew had no criminal record and wasn't a "standover man".
"Ben would have been standing in the background if anything went down. He was very timid."
She fears the father-of-three may have become involved in drugs and that his life had been threatened before.
How the triple fatality unfolded
Police said Mr Knowles and Mr Ray were walking to the nearby town of Koroit from Kirkstall around 10am on July 22.
They were at the junction of Koroit-Kirkstall Road and Scotts North Road when Mr Cashmore pulled up in his van, shot them multiple times at close range and ran them over.
A ballistics expert and pathologist are working to determine how exactly the men sustained the fatal and gruesome injuries.
"Knowles had a gunshot wound to the head, but I wouldn't even go as far as to say it was to the back of his head, we just don't know yet," Acting Detective Sergeant Matthew Laxton said.
"We know the vehicle has passed over both bodies."
Mr Cashmore then returned to his Chamberlain Street address where he took his own life. His parents located his body three hours later.
That morning, a witness reported Mr Cashmore was behaving erratically, chopping down more than 10 bluegum trees in a nearby property with a chainsaw.
That, according to Acting Detective Sergeant Laxton, was unrelated to the alleged dispute between Mr Cashmore and Mr Knowles.
"Exactly the nature of the conflict and why he felt aggrieved against Knowles and Ray we're still looking into it," Acting Detective Sergeant Laxton said.
The same witness told police Mr Cashmore had fired a test shot at his property that morning before the shootings.
Witnesses told the ABC that Mr Cashmore made his regular trip to the nearby town of Koroit to buy a lottery ticket that morning and seemed "normal".
Another resident who witnessed the shooting from his window said he heard what sounded like a car backfiring.
"I saw the van stop on the corner, and then it went up further and there were a couple more shots but, I thought it was the car backfiring," he said.
"I didn't see the bodies, so I sat back down on the couch. Next thing I know the police knocked on my door.
"I can't believe it happened outside my place; I wasn't expecting that in my lifetime."
A Moyne Shire Council worker came across the victims "almost instantly" after they were shot.
Dashcam footage now in police possession captured the killings.
A council spokesman said the team member was receiving support and that their "primary concern is for their ongoing wellbeing."
The weapon used was a sawed-off shotgun and police are looking into the source of the firearm.
Community 'shocked' to learn identity of killer
Members of the community were shocked to learn the 45-year-old was behind the shootings.
His parents, Ron and Dot Cashmore, said their Timboon born-and-raised son lived a simple life and had an infectious nature.
He was a boilermaker by trade and spent his free time fixing up vans and gold detecting.
Vanessa Bourne, who lived in his street, said the shootings had rattled the tight-knit town.
"I didn't think anyone even owned a gun in Kirkstall," she said.
"It seems like he [Knowles] drew anyone into his orbit, he was bad news.
"It all just seems so unnecessary."
A long-time friend of Mr Cashmore, who asked to remain anonymous, said she was devastated by his death.
"I've known Trav for 13 years; I'm devastated by what's happened," she said.
"I've been talking to Trav's family and friends and have been overwhelmed by all the stories of his generosity and willingness to help people.
"He was the kind of person who could make and fix anything. He helped me and my family so many times over the years.
"We are really going to miss him."
Flowers adorned Mr Cashmore's front gate this week.
One note read: "Trav, you are the hero of Kirkstall. We love and miss you so much."
Police will prepare a report for the coroner.
