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🇦🇺 Australia /Crime & Justice

Images of suspected hitmen released after Melbourne gangland killing

From ABC Australia · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • Police released CCTV images of a getaway car being set alight after a gangland killing in Melbourne.
  • Athan Boursinos, 21, was shot dead in what police believe was a hit orchestrated by an organized crime syndicate from New South Wales.
  • Investigators are seeking public assistance to identify four men believed to be involved in the murder, with two suspected to be from Victoria and two from New South Wales.

Victoria Police have released CCTV footage showing a getaway car being deliberately set on fire following the fatal shooting of a 21-year-old man in Melbourne. Athan Boursinos was killed in a laneway in Wollert on July 31, 2025, in what investigators believe was a targeted hit sanctioned by an organized crime syndicate based in New South Wales.

Following a protracted investigation over the last 12 months, we are now at a point where we need the public's assistance on the roles and identities of four men we believe were involved in this homicide.

— Detective Inspector Leigh HowseAppealing for public help in identifying suspects.

The investigation suggests that two men traveled from New South Wales to carry out the murder, with assistance from two Victorian men who allegedly helped with accommodation and provided getaway vehicles. The vehicle used in the shooting, a Nissan Patrol, was later found burnt out in Reservoir. The footage shows a man fleeing the scene shortly after the car was ignited.

At this stage, we believe two of those men are from New South Wales, and two are from Victoria. It is likely that the two men from New South Wales were contracted to carry out the murder, and the two Victorians have assisted with booking accommodation and providing and driving getaway vehicles.

— Detective Inspector Leigh HowseDescribing the suspected roles and origins of the individuals involved.

Detective Inspector Leigh Howse stated that police need public assistance to identify four men they believe were involved in the homicide. "At this stage, we believe two of those men are from New South Wales, and two are from Victoria," Howse said. "It is likely that the two men from New South Wales were contracted to carry out the murder, and the two Victorians have assisted with booking accommodation and providing and driving getaway vehicles."

Athan's various connections to organised crime add a greater level of complexity to the investigation.

— Detective Inspector Leigh HowseExplaining the challenges in the murder investigation.

Investigators are exploring several lines of inquiry to determine a motive for the murder, acknowledging that Mr. Boursinos's connections to organized crime add complexity to the case. Police urge anyone with information regarding the men involved to come forward, emphasizing that a year-long investigation has reached a point where public input is crucial for a breakthrough.

If you believe you have any information relating to the men who carried out this murder, now is the time to speak up.

— Detective Inspector Leigh HowseUrging potential witnesses to provide information.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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