Victoria Police have moved to allay community fears after a horrific run of three seemingly unrelated shootings in less than two weeks in Greater Dandenong.
In the third incident, The Tran, 42, of Mulgrave, was charged of shooting a woman in a house in Blossom Drive, Doveton about 12pm on Wednesday 13 March.
It culminated in an alarmed response from readers expressing fears for safety on Star News’s Facebook page.
“Horrible and scary,” one reader described the news. Another lamented the sight of the street being taped off as armoured police swarmed in.
“Gonna have to get myself a Glock,” another stated.
Days earlier, Paguir Pan, 19, of Dandenong, was charged with murder in relation to a shooting of a man outside a premises at 196 Springvale Road Springvale on the night of Sunday 10 March.
Police are still investigating who killed a man, reportedly Mitat Rasimi, who had been found shot in a car that crashed in Dandenong on 3 March.
In other parts of Melbourne early this month, three men had been shot dead in Kensington and Meadow Heights.
Police have thrown its Crime Command units such as Homicide and Armed Crime squads into investigating the matters.
A Victoria Police spokesperson said none of the three Greater Dandenong incidents were linked. “All involved parties who were known to each other,” the spokesperson said.
“We understand that there is community concern following the fatal shooting at Dandenong and we want to reassure people that this matter is subject to a significant active investigation that is absolutely a priority for Victoria Police.”
After the Springvale shooting, Commander Tim Hansen, of Victoria Police, told reporters that “on any standard Melbourne is a safe city”.
“Yes we have incidents and crime events that cause us concern and the general public concern. (They) are really confronting and make us feel vulnerable.
“Shooting crime is a horrendous crime and strikes at the heart of what we feel safe about.
“So part of our job is to make sure we have really swift justice outcomes.”
The spate has focused minds on illicit guns in the community, and being held in the wrong hands.
In its illicit gun report in July, the Australian Crime Commission identified the black market being supplied by thefts from firearms shops and licensed individuals as well as illegal importation.
“Even a small number of illegal firearms in circulation can have a significant impact, particularly when a cycle of retaliatory violence begins.”
According to lobby group Gun Control Australia, the number of stolen firearms in Victoria more than doubled in the decade up to 2017.
More than 6000 firearms were stolen in Victoria in that period, it claimed.
In the past four years, recorded weapons and explosives offences in Greater Dandenong have risen and fallen. In the 12 months up to September 2018, the offence per-capita rate dropped 17 per cent.
Last May, the State Government introduced firearm prohibition orders designed to prevent organized crime networks accessing illegal fire arms.
Since then, Victoria Police had served more than 145 orders on high-risk individuals, including members of outlaw motorcycle gangs, Middle Eastern gangs and counter-terrorism ‘persons of interest’.
It allows police to search those individuals’ premises and vehicles without a warrant.
Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams said she understood there was concern in the community over the incidents.
“Be assured that through our record investment in community safety, we’re giving police the laws, resources and equipment they need to keep our community safe.”
Any information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au
