A $1 million reward is on offer for information in relation to the fatal shooting of Robert Issa in a Craigieburn shopping centre car park in 2023.
Five men – a 29-year-old from Kew, a 31-year-old from Mickleham, a 33-year-old from Pascoe Vale and two 26-year-olds from Fawkner – were charged with murder, attempted murder and criminal damage by fire last week.
Investigators will allege the five men charged carried out the attack and detectives remain particularly keen to identify those further up the chain who ordered, financed and organised the hit.
Now, police are offering a reward of up to $1 million, paid at the discretion of the chief commissioner, for information leading to the apprehension and subsequent conviction of the person or persons responsible for the murder of Mr Issa.
The director of public prosecutions will consider the granting of indemnification from prosecution to any person who provides information as to the identity of the principal offender or offenders in the matter, police said.
Mr Issa, 27, and a male associate were sitting inside a white Mercedes station wagon parked in the car park of Craigieburn Central Shopping Centre when a number of shots were fired into the car just before 3pm on Saturday, October 7, 2023.
Issa was pulled from the vehicle and a number of witnesses attempted CPR before emergency services arrived. He died at the scene.
The other man inside the vehicle, a now 30-year-old from the northern suburbs, was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
A black Range Rover was located burnt out in Westmeadows a short time later.
Homicide Squad Detective Inspector Dean Thomas said police know Mr Issa had connections to a number of organised crime groups, which has added complexity to the investigation.
“This offending involves more than just those in the car on the night – it’s the planning, the financing, those further up the chain and the facilitators,” he said.
“That is the reason for this reward. We know there are others out there and we will take every step in this investigation to identify them. If this reward leads to someone coming forward, then any information they provide will be thoroughly investigated.”
Information to Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
