Police have returned to the scene of an elderly cyclist's mysterious shooting in the hopes of finding answers as the man still lives with the consequences of the attack.
It is seven years since Kelvin Tennant was riding his motorised bicycle along the Myrtleford-Everton Rail Trail at Everton in Victoria's northeast about midday on February 18, 2017, when he was shot a number of times by a man who got out of a parked car.
The shooter then fled in a dark-coloured sedan.
Mr Tennant was shot in the head and chest and found by passing cyclists lying unconscious on the bike trail.
The then 72-year-old was flown to Melbourne's Alfred Hospital, where doctors were able to remove two bullets from his body and he fought to stay alive.
Mr Tennant ultimately survived the attack - remembered as one of Victoria's enduring mysteries - but it took him months to recover and he still lives with eyesight and hearing issues because of the shooting.
Armed crime squad detectives on Wednesday conceded they were still scratching their heads about who was behind the shooting, after announcing a $500,000 reward for information in 2019.
Detectives again returned to Everton this week, searching the homes of people banned from having guns and otherwise asking around in the hope of giving Mr Tennant some answers.
Police hoped interstate holidaymakers who were in the area at the time saw something of use to their investigation but were only yet to realise it.
They urged anyone who was in the Everton area or passed through it on February 18, 2017, to come forward, reiterating that the $500,000 reward for information leading them to the shooter was still on offer.
“Seven years ago, Kelvin was simply out enjoying riding his motorised bike along a beautiful rail trail when someone tried to kill him," Detective Sergeant Brad Potts said in a statement.
“Despite our extensive enquiries over the years, we’ve never been able to uncover any possible motive for this.
“Someone out there knows who is responsible for trying to kill an innocent man, and it is time to do the right thing and come forward with that information."
Mr Tennant loved the area and riding his bike before he was shot, Det Sgt Potts said.
The Myrtleford-Everton Rail Trail attracts hundreds of cyclists during warm weather and the area is popular with visitors to the Great Alpine Rd.
The Director of Public Prosecutions has the power to grant people who provide information about the investigation indemnity from prosecution.
