UPDATE: Police will step up patrols in Altona Meadows in the wake of a fatal shooting on Sunday morning.
Khaled Abouhasna, a father of six, was gunned down outside his mother’s Lewin Court home shortly before 2am.
The 39-year-old from Altona Meadows, who also used the name Karl Kay, had just pulled into the driveway. Multiple shots were fired as he got out of the car.
Detectives have confirmed he was known to police.
The homicide squad’s Detective Sergeant Sol Solomon said there were no witnesses to the shooting, but neighbours had heard screeching tyres as a car sped away.
“At this stage, we have no suspects we’ve identified. The investigators are following up all leads.”
He said the victim appeared to have been ambushed in a “targeted attack”, but he would not say whether the killing was related to criminal gangs or connected to known underworld figures.
Residents said they heard six shots, which they initially thought to be fireworks.
A woman whose young son was sleeping over at his father’s house in the same street said it wasn’t until the third shot that her son’s father realised it wasn’t fireworks.
Like several residents, she said believing it was a targeted attack made her feel safer.
“If it was random, then it could be any street, any suburb, any town,” said the woman, who asked not to be named.
“Yes, it is sad that someone lost a son, a father, a brother, a friend, but when you hear that person is known to police, it does make it easier to know that it wasn’t a random attack.”
Hobsons Bay’s Inspector Michelle Young said police were mindful of the impact on people’s feelings of safety.
“Police will be maintaining a visible presence in the community,” she said.
As news of his death spread, friends paid tribute to a “kind and gentle” man who touched many lives. They also posted his image on social media, including a picture of Mr Abouhasna with former Bandido bikie Toby Mitchell.
Underworld sources have confirmed the men were close associates.
Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
– with The Age
