‘A happy soul’: Shooting victim remembered as police probe link to theft of 28 cars

Save articles for later

Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time.

Aymon Fatho, who was killed this week by a shot through a BMW’s windscreen in Melbourne’s west, has been remembered as a happy soul.

Alex Canja, Fatho’s long-time friend, confirmed his death in the Taylors Hill shooting and said he’d miss his high school mate.

“[I’m] very sorry for his passing and very sorry for his family,” Canja said.

Aymon Fatho, the victim of this week’s Taylors Hill shooting.Credit: Facebook

Emergency services found Fatho, 31, with a gunshot wound to his upper body inside a BMW on Vaucluse Boulevard in Taylors Hill, about 11.30pm on Sunday. Paramedics treated him, but he died at the scene.

Police believe the BMW had earlier been stolen from the yard of a Mulgrave mechanic business, which had 28 cars stolen after intruders forced entry at the weekend.

They said the BMW had been following a white Mitsubishi sedan, which crashed into bollards separating Grange Terrace and Johnston Way.

Police allege a man got out of the Mitsubishi armed with a long-arm firearm and confronted the two men inside the BMW before firing a shot into the front windscreen of the car, killing Fatho, who was the passenger.

The 42-year-old man police believe shot Fatho was released from custody on Tuesday after handing himself in.

Homicide Squad Detective Acting Inspector Nigel L’Estrange said on Monday that there was no evidence of an organised crime link, but said the parties knew each other.

“This is not a random attack, so we don’t believe there’s further risk to the community,” he said.

One line of enquiry being investigated is whether the shooting, which is not believed to be a planned attack, was connected to a drug dispute.

Fatho’s friend Andrejka Stibilj described the deceased Craigieburn man a “happy soul and always had a smile on his face”.

“He was like my little brother. He was such a great friend we were always there for each other,” she said. “[He] always made me laugh when I was down … I miss him so much.”

On Facebook, Canja wrote: “[I] can’t believe your gone bro. You were the young one at school always hanging with the boys – memories I’ll always remember.

A man linked to the fatal Taylors Hill shooting knocks on a resident’s door for help on Sunday night.Credit: Nine News

“Till we meet again bro, rest in peace. Gonna miss ya bro [sic].”

A spokeswoman for Capital S.M.A.R.T Repairs in Mulgrave confirmed more than 20 cars were stolen from the business at the weekend.

“Thankfully, no team members or customers were involved or injured; however, the facility has sustained some damage and operations have been suspended,” she said.

“We are currently working with police regarding impacted equipment and vehicles.”

The spokeswoman was unable to comment on any link between the heist and the stolen BMW involved in the fatal Taylors Hill shooting.

Police said on Tuesday they were confident they knew the identities of two other men who fled the scene of the shooting. But as of Wednesday evening, those men were still to be found.

After Fatho was shot, the driver of the BMW travelled 500 metres before calling triple zero to report the shooting. He then fled on foot.

One of the two occupants in the Mitsubishi also knocked on a resident’s door to ask for directions to get out of the estate before the pair ran away.

Anyone with information is urged to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here.

Most Viewed in National

From our partners

Source: Read Full Article