Accused Melbourne gangland figure Fadi Haddara is fighting for his life in hospital after being shot in an apparent targeted attack outside his home in Altona North.
The 48-year-old was reportedly returning to his property on Marigold Avenue at about 8 p.m. Sunday when he came under gunfire in what police have described as a targeted shooting.
Haddara was reportedly shot at least four times, including once in the face. A relative discovered him seriously wounded in a pool of blood before emergency services were called.
He was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries. His four young children were reportedly inside the home when the shooting occurred.
Police Investigate Fadi Haddara Shooting
Victoria Police detectives from the Armed Crime Squad are investigating the shooting.
Detective Inspector Adam Tilley said investigators had not yet been able to speak with Haddara because of the severity of his injuries, but officers intended to question him when his condition allowed.
Police have described the incident as targeted, although investigators have not publicly established who was responsible or what specifically motivated the attack.
The investigation remains ongoing, and no suspect has been identified publicly in connection with the shooting.
Fadi Haddara and Melbourne Gangland
Haddara has been described in reports as an alleged leader of the Haddara family crime group and has been linked by authorities to Melbourne’s illicit tobacco trade.
The Haddara group has reportedly been involved in a long-running rivalry with jailed tobacco kingpin Kazem Hamad.
Hamad is serving a life sentence in Iraq and has been reported as being connected to a series of firebombings targeting businesses allegedly associated with the Haddara group.
The feud has formed part of Melbourne’s wider gangland history, involving illicit tobacco, drug trafficking and violent attacks.
Previous Violence Against the Haddara Family
The latest shooting is not the first time the Haddara family has been affected by gun violence.
Haddara’s brother, Mohammed Haddara, was killed in a drive-by shooting near the family’s Altona North area in 2009. He was 28 years old.
Fadi Haddara himself was previously imprisoned after being sentenced in 2015 to 23 months for operating a drug-trafficking enterprise from Melbourne’s western suburbs.
Authorities have continued to monitor alleged organized-crime activity involving the Haddara network and its rivals.
Investigation Continues
Police are now working to establish exactly how Sunday’s shooting unfolded and identify those responsible.
Investigators are appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident or may have captured relevant footage on a dashcam to come forward.
Anyone with information or footage is being urged to contact Crime Stoppers Victoria.
The shooting has renewed attention on Melbourne’s ongoing gangland violence, but investigators have cautioned that the circumstances and motive remain subject to the police investigation.
For now, Fadi Haddara remains in hospital with life-threatening injuries as detectives work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the attack.
The investigation remains ongoing, and further information is expected as police continue their inquiries.