Former boxer shot dead in suspected targeted attack

A former boxer was shot dead in Melbourne’s inner north-west early on Sunday morning in a suspected targeted attack.

Hussein Dehaini was found with gunshot wounds in North Street, Ascot Vale, about 12.15am.

An underworld source, granted anonymity for their safety, said Dehaini had links to the Haddara crime family, was allegedly involved in extortion and illicit tobacco, and had made powerful enemies in recent months.

“I’m not surprised,” the source said. “It has been coming for a long time.”

Spattered blood could be seen on Mount Alexander Road on Sunday morning as police roped off a large crime scene to investigate Dehaini’s death.

Security camera footage from a nearby shop recorded three loud bangs just after midnight, startling late-night revellers in the busy area.

The footage appeared to show the initial shots were fired on Mount Alexander Road, but a trail of blood led down North Street, where emergency services found a man in his 30s critically injured.

Dehaini, who two other sources confirmed was the man killed, was once a professional boxer who fought under the alias “Skinny” and recorded 10 wins, according to an online fighter profile.

He was listed as a super middleweight from Broadmeadows whose last recorded fight was in 2019.

The police anti-bikie taskforce arrested Dehaini when they busted an extortion racket linked to the Finks outlaw motorcycle gang in 2023.

He was charged with possessing a firearm, dealing with the proceeds of crime and failing to provide mobile phone access at the time.

Dehaini was listed to appear at a committal hearing next month at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.

Police said the victim of Sunday’s shooting died after he was taken to hospital.

A police spokeswoman said investigators were “yet to establish where or how the man” was fatally injured.

Detectives also inspected a black Ford Ranger ute on Mascoma Street – a short distance from the main crime scene.

Ella, a barista who lives nearby, said she heard two loud bangs just after midnight.

“It, like, echoed,” she said. “It sort of sounded like gunshots, but I wasn’t totally sure.”

She went back to sleep, thinking a car might have backfired but later woke up to find her street cordoned off with police tape.

“It’s just sad,” she said.

Dehaini’s death was followed by a separate incident in Geelong on Sunday that left another man dead.

Police said investigators believe three men and two women had an altercation in Alkira Avenue, Norlane, about 12.40pm.

A man who is yet to be identified died at the scene despite care from emergency services.

A woman in her 20s had minor injuries and was treated by paramedics, while two men and a woman fled the scene and are being hunted by detectives.

The group is believed to be known to one another.

Anyone with information on either incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

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