By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Workers and proprietors at a Hampton Park shopping centre fear for their safety after being nearly struck by “stray bullets” during an ambush shooting at a tattoo parlour.
Star News believes that businesses have made an approach to force out the Nitro Ink studio – which has been linked to the Commancheros outlaw motorcycle gang – in the wake of the 22 February attack.
In what police described as a targeted shooting, two armed men wearing balaclavas entered the studio on Fordholm Road and opened fire about 1.20pm.
A 35-year-old man, believed to be a customer, was shot multiple times in front of five other staff and customers.
As of early this week, he was in a serious, stable condition at The Alfred hospital, and the gunmen remained at large.
Victoria Police’s anti-outlaw bikie gang Echo taskforce is investigating.
During the ambush, bullets blasted through the back wall of the tattoo studio into a neighbouring real estate agent and a law firm.
At Blue Sapphire real estate, a bullet allegedly pierced a desk chair at head height as well as a filing cabinet. The manager was said to have left the chair just five minutes beforehand.
Another bullet was described as travelling through the office of Hammersmith Lawyers, narrowly missing staff and ricocheting off the front entrance window.
“Lucky is not the word,” said a shopping centre worker – who did not wish to be identified.
“We were blessed that nobody was hurt.”
The busy precinct includes a medical centre and two early learning centres – one hosted children as the stray bullets landed directly next door.
The incident follows an attempted 2013 bombing of Nitro Gym in Hallam, which is next door to a child play-centre.
Traumatised staff at a neighbouring business in Hampton Park are said to have not returned to work since the latest shooting.
A proprietor described a push by several businesses for Nitro Ink’s landlord to evict the tattoo studio.
Several other business owners described feeling unsafe and were supportive of the studio’s departure.
“You don’t want to ignore signs of danger. This raises a real concern now,” said another proprietor.
“I was trusting the authorities allowed them to be here and watching them. But that’s not always the case.”
Nitro Ink has been indefinitely closed since the shooting.
On its Facebook page, it posted: “Due to unforeseen circumstances, the shop will be closed until further notice.
“Please give us your patience as we will make it priority to get back to everybody.
“Thank you for everyone’s kind words and support.”
A spokesman for Cameron Real Estate, which oversees the tenancy, was asked about Nitro Ink’s future at the centre.
“There is nothing in writing from the tenants,” he said.
Casey Council statutory planning manager Duncan Turner said Nitro Ink was within a commercial zone. Thus it didn’t require a planning permit from the council, he said.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman assured the public that police were “doing everything possible” to make the shooters accountable.
She said local police were conducting patrols and “reassurance activities”.
“Victoria Police is not intimidated by OMCGs and we will not allow our communities to be.
“We will continue its strong focus on any criminal activities associated with rival Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs. “
Police understood the significant community concern in the wake of the shooting, she said.
“Whilst we believe those involved are targeting each other, the indiscriminate nature of the attack clearly has the potential to endanger innocent members of the public.”
Aspire Church, formerly known as Casey Life Church, neighbours the shopping precinct.
Pastor Graham Shand said: “This highlights the increasing importance of our being here.”
