Detectives from the Homicide Squad have this morning arrested five men as part of their investigation into the fatal shooting of Robert Issa in a Craigieburn carpark in 2023.
The men, a 29-year-old from Kew, a 31-year-old from Mickleham, a 33-year-old from Pascoe Vale and two 26-year-old men from Fawkner were taken into custody shortly after 6am this morning.
Six search warrants were then executed at residential addresses in Kew, Mickleham, Pascoe Vale and Fawkner (3).
The quintet will now be interviewed by detectives in relation to the incident.
Just before 3pm on Saturday 7 October 2023, Issa and a male associate were sitting inside a white Mercedes station wagon parked in the carpark of Craigieburn Central Shopping Centre.
A black Range Rover containing a number of men approached the white Mercedes, before a number got out the Range Rover and fired multiple shots into Issa's vehicle.
Issa was pulled from the vehicle and a number of witnesses then attempted CPR before emergency services arrived.
He was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The other man inside the vehicle, a now 30-year-old from the northern suburbs, was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
The black Range Rover was located burnt out in Westmeadows a short time later.
Detectives believe there are still others out there with direct knowledge of the motive for the incident and who was involved, including those who may have financed and ordered the hit.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Police urge anyone with information about the incident to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Quotes attributable to Detective Inspector Dean Thomas, Homicide Squad:
"These arrests are a turning point in this investigation, but they are only the beginning. We believe these men were likely the foot soldiers who carried out the murder, but we believe there are also people further up the chain who are responsible for ordering this attack.
"We want to do everything we can to identify every single person involved in the planning and execution of this attack. If you have any information on the identity of those involved, now is the time to do the right thing and come forward with what you know.
"This shooting was incredibly violent and it played out in a shopping centre carpark in the middle of the afternoon on a Saturday. It is completely unacceptable that innocent members of the public were exposed to this level of potential harm. It shows immense disregard for human life and it could have ended in the deaths of more people.
"A significant and protracted investigation by the Homicide Squad over the past two years has led us to today's arrests, but this investigation is far from over. As I said, we will do everything we can to hold accountable every single person involved in this shooting. If you know you are part of that chain, now is the time for you to come and speak to us, because this may be your last opportunity."
