Emergency services were called to Napier Street in Fitzroy at 4.15pm after reports that passers-by had found a man with life-threatening injuries.
Fitzroy’s 55-year-old man died from his injuries.
Investigators leave a block of public housing in Fitzroy on Wednesday. (new)
Detectives came out of the apartment towers near the crime scene on Wednesday with test bags, while witnesses recounted the moments of the victim’s death.
“It was pretty horrible, you know, they were trying to resuscitate him for a long time,” one witness said.
Detective Superintendent Paul O’Halloran told 3AW radio that the victim had previously approached a dark-colored Audi SUV with two people he knew inside.
He said the victim was sitting in the vehicle before leaving and tried to flee before a person got out of the vehicle and allegedly shot him.
“The man was shot in the back and upper body,” O’Halloran said.
“It was a target and we think he was known for (the gunman).”
O’Halloran said it was not known how many shots were fired, but said an autopsy was being performed.
He said the incident was not related to the recent gang-related shootings.
Police believe a deadly shooting on an inner Melbourne street on Tuesday was a “targeted attack”. (new)
He said the dead man did not appear to have links to any outlaw motorcycle gangs or to organized crime groups in the Middle East.
Police are calling for anyone with information or CCTV images or script cameras to show up.