Interstate crime figures ordered daytime laneway attack

Police believe a man shot dead in a daylight attack was killed by organized crime figures who traveled interstate to carry out the attack.

Athan Boursinos, 21, was fatally shot next to his car in the lane behind a property in Wollert, north of Melbourne, on July 31.

Victoria Police Detective Acting Superintendent Mark Hatt said information obtained by investigators showed the killing was sanctioned by an interstate organized crime syndicate.

“Intelligence leads us to believe these men traveled from NSW prior to Athan’s murder, which suggests this was a murder linked to organized crime syndicates in that state,” he said.

“Although we have several lines of investigation, we are still working to determine the possible cause.”

Investigators have released security cameras and images of the two men and a white Volkswagen SUV they believe were involved in the incident.

Mr. Boursinos was approached on the street by unidentified men at about 9 a.m. before he was shot several times.

Crime scene photos show a silver BMW sedan with its window broken and its door open, with the man’s body next to it.

Police said the attackers fled the scene in a stolen Nissan Patrol, which was found burnt out in the Reservoir about 15 minutes later.

The criminals also used a gray Volkswagen Golf which was previously stolen from an address in Hampton East in March and was found burnt out in Mickleham two hours later.

Detectives believe the men then got into a waiting silver BMW sedan.

Det Supt Hatt said the attack was targeted, adding that the victim’s links to organized crime further complicated the investigation.

“If you believe you have any information about men who may have traveled from New South Wales to carry out this murder, now is the time to speak out,” he said.