The victim sought shelter in a Melton petrol station

Armed Crime Squad detectives have announced a $250,000 reward for information about a shooting in Melton almost 18 months ago.

The 42-year-old victim was driving two female friends home around 12.30am on Friday 30 November 2018.

After dropping off one woman in Melton West, shots were fired into the man’s red sedan near Linlithgow Way from another car, which police believe was a white HSV club sport (image below)

The man was followed to nearby Centenary Ave – and later Coburns Road – where he was shot at again.

One of the bullets hit the man in the face.

Others hit the driver in the head.

The 21-year-old woman in the car was unhurt and called 000, while the victim sought refuge at a petrol station in Sherwin Court in Melton’s east.

The man was placed in an induced coma in hospital for several days.

On 14 June 2019 a warrant was executed at a Melton West property, where a 32-year-old man was arrested and charged with firearms offences including being a prohibited person possessing a firearm; but he was not charged in relation to the shooting.

A second man aged 30 from Hoppers Crossing was also arrested in June – and has been released pending further inquiries.

“We need to find answers for him as there is no reason this man was the target of a shooting.”

“The victim in this matter was millimetres from sustaining fatal wounds and we want to get these people off the streets,” Detective Inspector Dean Thomas said.

“He is still recovering from his injuries and will continue to do so for some time. We need to find answers for him as there is no reason this man was the target of a shooting.”

The man agreed to speak to media in Ballarat on Wednesday (6 June 2020).

“We have hit a roadblock in this investigation, and we are hoping this reward will entice someone to come forward and enable us to solve this crime.

 â€śIt’s also incredibly fortunate that his passenger wasn’t injured and was able to contact emergency services for help.”

The reward will be paid for information leading to a conviction over the incident.

In some cases, the Director of Public Prosecutions may consider the granting of indemnification from prosecution to any person who provides information.

Any payment of a reward will also be subject to the applicant signing a deed of confidentiality.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Images: VicPol

Gabrielle Hodson
Author: Gabrielle Hodson

Online, radio, TV and print journalist since 1993. BA (Hum) majoring in journalism Deakin University. Follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/MooraboolOnline I'd love to hear your news tips 🙂 Email -- news@mooraboolonloine.com.au OR send us a message via Facebook -- https://www.facebook.com/MooraboolOnline