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Man shot inside tattoo parlour linked to Comancheros in Hampton Park

 

A gunman is on the run after a man was shot inside a tattoo parlour in Melbourne's south-east on Thursday.

The victim, believed to be in his 30s, was shot at the Nitro Ink tattoo parlour on Fordholm Road in Hampton Park about 1.15pm.

He has been taken to hospital in a critical condition. It is believed to be a targeted shooting.

The tattoo parlour is linked to the national president of the Comanchero outlaw bikie gang, Mick Murray, along with the Nitro Gym in the neighbouring suburb of Hallam. He is believed to be a silent owner of both operations.

The gym has been the scene of a shooting in the past.

The Comancheros also have a clubhouse in Hallam.

Murray was recently sent to prison for six months, however The Age is prevented from reporting the offence for legal reasons.

Police at the scene where a man was shot at a tattoo parlour.

A burnt-out car has been found on nearby Robjant Street in Hampton Park but it has not yet been confirmed that this is the same vehicle the offender fled in.

The Comancheros have been involved in a feud with the Rebels outlaw motorcycle gang in recent years, with bashings, shootings and firebombings occuring in Melbourne and other states.

The armed crime squad and anti-bikie echo taskforce detectives are investigating the shooting.

Last week, former Comanchero boss Mahmoud "Mick" Hawi died after being shot multiple times outside a Fitness First in Sydney's south.

Hawi was hit with a barrage of bullets while sitting in his SUV after he had finished a gym workout.

He was farewelled by friends and family at a funeral on Thursday.

It is not known if the two incidents are linked.

The Nitro Ink tatto parlour is postioned in the middle of the Hampton Park Shopping Complex.

Police have cordoned off the crime scene stretching about eight stores while detectives comb the area and interview witnesses.

At least five police cars are at the scene and a black motorcycle is parked directly opposite the tattoo parlour.

One Fordholm resident who did not want to be named said he was inside his house when he heard police sirens blaring.

"I went out the front and looked over the gate and I've just seen cop cars flying down the street," he said. "Then I saw an ambulance rush to the shops and I thought 'what the hell is going on here?'... I've never seen anything like it."

The man, who has lived in the street for about 40 years, said he was "shaken-up" after hearing it was a shooting.

"To be honest it's usually pretty safe around here," he said. "A few months back I heard of another guy being shot at the Pokies around the corner, but in all the time I lived in the area I've always felt safe. It does rattle you up a bit."

A Nitro Ink employee was interviewed by detectives outside the tattoo parlour but he declined to comment when approached by The Age.

 

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