By CASEY NEILL
A KEYSBOROUGH man shot in groin at close range last month is refusing to identify the culprit.
Detective Sergeant Brett Kahan said the shooter intended to kill the 31-year-old in an apartment in Balaclava Road, St Kilda East, about 4pm on 14 April.
“We definitely think this incident was a deliberate act. He was shot at close range by a male brandishing a shotgun,” he said.
“Those types of incidents usually result in death. Our investigations tend to suggest that he was shot with the intention of being killed.”
Armed Crime Taskforce detectives today released FACE images of the man they believe pulled the trigger, and CCTV showing him fleeing the scene with another man.
Det Sgt Kahan said drugs were probably a motive and there was “a high possibility” the victim was too frightened to name the shooter.
“In matters such as this there’s many reasons why a victim wouldn’t co-operate with police,” he said.
“Our inquiries do suggest that the parties are known to each other.”
He said the victim suffered “very serious injuries” but had been released from hospital.
“Anyone shot at such close-range with a shotgun would suffer injuries consistently right through his life,” he said.
The suspected shooter flees the scene.
Two men fled the scene on foot shortly after the incident and were last seen walking south along Balaclava Road before turning right onto Orrong Road.
Det Sgt Kahan urged anyone who saw the men get into a vehicle to come forward.
“Just as important as getting firearms off the street is getting people who use firearms,” he said.
“We certainly think there’s people out there that haven’t come forward for whatever reason.”
The offenders are believed to be Caucasian and aged in their thirties.
One man was wearing shorts and a light-coloured T-shirt while the other was wearing dark-coloured track pants and a jumper with large words written on the back.
Call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 with any information.
