Homicide Squad detectives believe an unidentified motorcycle could hold the key to a breakthrough in the investigation into the fatal shooting of John Latorre in Greenvale last week.
The 64-year-old was leaving his Buchanan Place property just after 4.30am on 12 March when he was fatally shot in the upper body.
A family member located him outside the address shortly after the incident, however he passed away at the scene. No one else was physically injured during the incident.
While the exact circumstances of the shooting are still being determined, investigators are now looking at the possibility the offender was travelling on a motorcycle.
It still remains unclear how many people were involved in the fatal shooting, either in the incident itself or the circumstances and actions surrounding it.
Police are continuing to treat the fatal shooting as a targeted attack and are looking at a number of possibilities including any links to organised crime groups.
The motorcycle seen near the shooting is yet to be located and police are keen to speak to anyone who saw a motorcycle travelling in the area around Buchanan Place, Elphinstone Boulevard, Glencairn Road, Barrymore Road and Mickleham Road in Greenvale.
The motorcycle has been described as potentially a smaller model and made a loud noise while being ridden.
A significant CCTV canvas of the area has already been conducted and police are continuing to review that footage in the hope it will provide further avenues of enquiry.
Investigators are urging anyone who was travelling through Greenvale or Gladstone Park, particularly in the vicinity of Mickleham Road, between 2am and 6am on Tuesday 12 March to check their footage and contact police.
Detectives are particularly keen to obtain any footage depicting a motorcycle travelling through the area.
Information can also be provided to police anonymously, including any information about who was involved or the motivation behind the shooting.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Quotes attributable to Detective Acting Inspector Nigel L’Estrange:
“We believe that dashcam footage or CCTV of this motorcycle could provide a crucial breakthrough in this investigation.
“While we are still working through all the circumstances surrounding the murder, we are particularly keen to identify this motorcycle and it is currently a key avenue of enquiry.
“Investigators are keen to speak to anyone in the Greenvale area who may have seen a motorcycle travelling through the area around the time of the shooting at 4.30am.
“Given the circumstances of what happened, it may have been ridden erratically or at speed, so if you saw anything then we want to hear from you. From the footage that has been reviewed already, we know there was quite a bit of traffic around even at that early time of the morning.
“We are doing everything we can to try and identify those involved, however we need the community’s help.
“Those responsible for this murder had absolutely no concerns deliberately discharging a firearm in a suburban street, regardless of what impact it may have had on innocent parties, so we are keen to locate the offender or offenders as soon as possible.”
