Victoria Police have released CCTV footage of a brazen broad daylight shooting in Melbourne's outer suburbs, which appears to show a gunman filming the attack on his mobile phone as he fires shots into a home.
Details of the Incident
Shots were fired toward a residence on Elmwood Place in Craigieburn at approximately 1pm on October 24 last year. The footage shows a black Land Rover pulling up near wheelie bins before a man dressed in black shoes, black and grey tracksuit pants, a black hoodie, and a balaclava steps out. He takes a few steps away from the vehicle, raises a gun in one hand and a phone in the other, and appears to film himself as he fires at least three shots before speeding away.
Police Investigation
Police have been unable to locate the Land Rover due to grainy CCTV footage, the shooter, or even the bullets, as the gunshots appear to have missed the house. The footage was handed to police in January, but authorities have not obtained the shooter's mobile phone recording. Senior Constable Mitchell Jones would not confirm whether the shooting was a threat, noting that the house is at a dead end and, as far as police know, no one was home at the time. However, he described the act as reckless, stating, 'It's one o'clock on a Friday, there are plenty of people at their homes... I'd describe it as reckless.'
No Link to Operation Eclipse
Police have 'no information to suggest' the shooting is connected to Operation Eclipse, a taskforce investigating arson attacks at dozens of Melbourne hospitality venues. Senior Constable Jones also declined to comment on the residents' ethnicity or whether they were known to police, citing the sensitive nature of the incident.
Appeal for Information
Police only received the CCTV footage three months after the shooting, which explains why bullets could not be found. Senior Constable Jones urged the public to come forward with any information, encouraging those who may not feel comfortable speaking directly to police to contact Crime Stoppers. 'We're looking for any information whether that's people who know who committed this crime or who's related to it or any of the circumstances,' he said.
