Police have launched a manhunt following a late-night shooting at a suburban shopping strip in Melbourne.
Emergency services were called to a small precinct at Borrack Square in Altona North at approximately 11:30pm after reports that a man had been shot outside a local café. Upon arrival, officers found a 49-year-old man suffering from gunshot wounds. He was treated at the scene before being transported to hospital with injuries believed to be non-life-threatening.
According to investigators, those responsible for the attack fled the scene immediately in a vehicle, prompting a swift police response and search of the surrounding area.
Several hours later, at about 2:50am, authorities were alerted to a car fire at the intersection of McArthurs and Chambers roads, roughly 800 metres from the original shooting location. It is believed the same offenders set the vehicle alight in an apparent attempt to destroy evidence before abandoning it.
Fire crews attended and extinguished the blaze, while police quickly established a secondary crime scene. Investigators are now working to confirm whether the burnt-out car was used in the shooting and to piece together the sequence of events leading up to the incident.
Victoria Police confirmed that a crime scene has been established at both locations and that inquiries remain ongoing. Detectives are appealing for witnesses or anyone with relevant information, including CCTV or dashcam footage, to come forward as they continue their search for those involved.
Authorities have not yet released details about a possible motive, and no arrests have been made at this stage. The investigation remains active as police pursue all leads.
