On 14 April 2019, alleged perpetrators Jacob Elliott and Allan Fares committed a drive-by-shooting, using a stolen black Porsche SUV, targeting the Love Machine nightclub in Melbourne, Victoria. This attack, which is believed to not have a specific target other than the nightclub itself, lead to the death of Richard Arrow and Aaron Khalid Osmani. Following the shooting, Victoria Police additionally arrested Moussa Hamka, whom is being charged with numerous offences including accessory to murder, possessing a firearm, stalking and other additional charges in relation to the incident.[1] The three accused perpetrators have pleaded not guilty to all charges.[2][3]
| 2019 Melbourne Nightclub Shooting | |
|---|---|
  Love Machine Nightclub Map of the location which the shooting occurred. | |
| Location | Prahran, Victoria |
| Date | 14 April 2019 |
Attack type | Drive-by-shooting |
| Weapon | Firearm |
| Deaths | 2 |
| Injured | 4 |
Motive
editOn 15 April 2019 Victorian Police made a statement mentioning their intention to investigate the connection between the shooting and Outlaw Biker Gangs.[4] This claim was additionally supported by further investigation, with the two suspects Jacob Elliot and Allan Fares to have known connections with an outlaw motorcycle gang.[5] The motive of the attack is greatly accredited towards revenge due to a dispute with one of the accused family members being ejected out of the club at a previous date.[6] There have been previous reports of attempts from Biker Gangs to enforce "protection payments" upon the Love Machine nightclub in Prahran, Victoria.[1]
Aftermath
editShortly following the shooting, 26-year-old Moussa Hamka was alleged to have hidden the 32-calibre firearm used in the attack in his bedroom. Following the arrest, his bail was revoked by the Victorian Supreme Court. Hamka's lawyers did not attempt to oppose the decision.[7][8]
On 1 July 2019, homicide detectives issued a search warrant for a home in Bundoora, Victoria. At the premises, 18 year old Jacob Elliott was arrested and charged with two counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder. Elliott was the second person to be charged in relation to the incident.[9]
Allan Fares was arrested in the early morning of 3 July 2019. Fares faced two counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder. Although Fares is still remanded in police custody, his charges are still undergoing.[10][11]
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ a b "Man charged with accessory to murder over Love Machine nightclub shooting". ABC. 29 June 2019. Archived from the original on 16 December 2020. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- ^ "Love Machine shooting witnesses forced to talk in Melbourne court". www.9news.com.au. Archived from the original on 2 April 2020. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- ^ "Another man dies after Melbourne nightclub crowd sprayed by bullets". www.abc.net.au. 20 April 2019. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- ^ "Bikie gang may be behind 'targeted' drive-by shooting outside Melbourne nightclub". ABC. 15 April 2019. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- ^ "Teen charged with Love Machine killings son of underworld figure". 9news. Archived from the original on 3 July 2019. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- ^ Vedelago, Chris; Houston, Cameron (10 May 2019). "Revenge attack suspected motive in Love Machine double murder". The Age. Archived from the original on 7 November 2020. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- ^ Moore, Georgie (4 September 2020). "Nightclub shooting accused's bail revoked". The Murray Valley Standard. Archived from the original on 19 January 2021. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- ^ "Melbourne nightclub shooting co-accused 'hid gun'". 9news. Archived from the original on 2 April 2020. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- ^ Smith, Rohan (1 July 2019). "Second man arrested over Melbourne's Love Machine nightclub shooting". NewsComAu. Archived from the original on 19 January 2021. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- ^ Farnsworth, Sarah (3 July 2019). "Nightclub shooting accused 'young and vulnerable', lawyer tells court". ABC. Archived from the original on 7 November 2020. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- ^ Schelle, Caroline (15 February 2020). "Manhunt under way after Melb club shooting". The Canberra Times. Archived from the original on 19 January 2021. Retrieved 19 January 2021.