On-the-run gunmen impersonated police to ambush and execute an organised crime figure on a suburban street.
Hawre Sherwani was left critically wounded on Heysen Park Way in Caroline Springs, in Melbourne's western suburbs, about 10.30pm on Thursday.
The 33-year-old later died in hospital.
Flashing lights and a siren were used by the shooters in the targeted attack on Mr Sherwani, police confirmed.
"Homicide Squad detectives are currently reviewing CCTV footage as part of the investigation into the fatal shooting of Hawre Sherwani," the force said in a statement.
"This includes footage which appears to show flashing lights and a siren being used in the VW Tiguan that has been linked to the shooting."
The vehicle was later found torched at Fraser Rise.
Police said Mr Sherwani was known to them, with the crime scene riddled with bullet casings across a wide area.
He is believed by investigators to have been an associate of 27-year-old Robert Issa, shot dead outside a busy shopping centre at Craigieburn in Melbourne's north in October 2023.
In an attack likely linked to Melbourne's long-running illegal tobacco wars, four balaclava-clad men surrounded Mr Issa's Mercedes SUV, firing multiple shots into the passenger side and rear windows as shocked shoppers looked on.
Another man, a 28-year-old from Hadfield, was taken to hospital in a serious condition.
Police at the time called the deadly ambush - which has not resulted in any arrests - frightening, particularly serious and concerning.
Detective Superintendent Janet Stevenson said police were investigating several previous incidents in which Mr Sherwani was targeted.
They included a shooting at Fraser Rise, in the city's west, in March 2024, when shots were fired at him.
Two men were also charged after Mr Sherwani was assaulted next to Deer Park Bypass in Ravenhall in July 2023.
Det Supt Stevenson said there were fears the latest killing could trigger further gangland retaliation.
"We're concerned because this has been going on for a bit, so we've got many concerns about that," she said.
"It's brazen, it's irresponsible and yet very targeted but very concerning (for) people of this neighbourhood."
One of the people involved in the gunfire might have been injured while fleeing the scene and sustained serious injuries as a result of a collision, police said.
The Volkswagen is believed to have been stolen from a house in Clyde North, in Melbourne's southeast, in November.
Police believe at least one offender was injured in the shooting spree.
"We do urge them to get medical assistance and it’s very important that they do that because it could be quite serious injuries," Det Supt Stevenson said.
Several residents, who did not want to be named, said the street was usually quiet and had not previously been the site of criminal activity.
One man said the victim had door-knocked several houses seeking help from neighbours who attempted to administer first aid.
Police cordoned off the area and established a crime scene.
Detectives were seen examining a white Volkswagen, its driver's side door riddled with bullet holes, parked across a nature strip.
