A young man has been killed in what police believe was a targeted drive-by shooting outside a police station in Melbourne’s inner north in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The attack took place just after midnight when a passing car opened fire on two young men walking across the road from a police station in Fitzroy.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday afternoon, Det Acting Insp Brett Meadows said an officer inside the station heard two gunshots before leaving the building to investigate.
Outside he found a young man with a gunshot wound and attempted to perform first aid. Nearby patrol cars and emergency services were on the scene “within minutes”, but the man did not survive.
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“As soon as [the officer] heard what he believed to be gunshots, he went straight out and provided first aid and called for assistance,” Meadows said. Meadows said he did not know the victim’s age but they were “young”.
An investigation is under way into the circumstances of the shooting, but Meadows said it was too early to say whether it was related to gang activity or any other motive.
“It certainly appears to be targeted,” he said. “The two boys who go past the station don’t stop. They don’t try to get into the police station. They’re not trying to call for help. They’re seen going past twice.”
He said that footage suggested the two young men did not appear to be “in any sort of hurry”.
The footage then shows a silver SUV driving past, where it fired two shots, before fleeing the scene. The second man present also fled.
Police are hoping to speak to the second man in the hope of learning more about the shooter and are working to identify the SUV.
No arrests have been made.
Members of the public who might have information are urged to contact CrimeStoppers.
