The fatal shooting at Thomastown last week has prompted the state government to fast-track tougher gun trafficking laws.
The latest drive-by shooting in Melbourne’s north resulted in the death of 54-year-old Rachad Adra, who was shot while in bed with his wife and four-year-old son.
Premier Daniel Andrews has announced new gun laws will be introduced by Christmas, among them a law increasing penalties and lowering the threshold for trafficking guns.
“We will not settle for this sort of culture taking hold in our state,” the Premier said last week.
“We are going to crack down and make sure anybody who has an illegal firearm, traffics an illegal firearm or is involved in the manufacturing of a firearm feels the full force of the Victorian law.”
Killer still at large
Homicide detectives continue to investigate Mr Adra’s murder.
His Darebin Drive house was peppered by bullets about 4am last Tuesday.
He received fatal wounds to his chest and died hours later, while his youngest son Kareem was seriously injured and still recovering in the Royal Children’s Hospital late last week.
Inspector Mick Hughes said the man’s two eldest sons were known to police. Fairfax Media has reported the shooting is believed to be connected to mounting tensions in Melbourne’s criminal underworld.
Inspector Hughes said it was unlikely Mr Adra was the intended target, but homicide detectives believe the shooting was not random
His son Mohamad posted a verse from the Koran on Facebook last Thursday.
The verse, often recited when tragedy strikes, states: “We surely belong to Allah and to Him we shall return. May Allah forgive him and forgive us all. Salam alaikum [Peace be unto you].”
