A 22-year-old plumber, Daniel Hussein, was shot dead at a sporting oval in Melbourne's northern suburb of Thomastown, with police still hunting the gunman as of Monday. Mr Hussein had reportedly messaged one of his brothers shortly before the attack to say he was being followed by a black vehicle with no number plates, and his father said the young tradesman had no idea why he was being targeted. The killing has left his family, friends and community shaken, particularly given he was due to be married later this year.

Police were called to the Lalor United Sloga FC complex shortly after 7.30pm following reports of gunfire, and found Mr Hussein critically wounded; he died at the scene. He is believed to have been in the car park helping a friend who was caught up in a separate dispute when he was shot, with a neighbour describing seeing a black SUV arrive before Mr Hussein jumped onto its bonnet and kicked at the vehicle as it fled. A red ute was later towed from the scene, and the oval was cordoned off as detectives launched a homicide investigation. Police have appealed for anyone with information or footage to contact Crime Stoppers.