Two teens are lucky to be alive after a targeted shooting during a street fight that embroiled dozens of youths, police say.
A 17-year-old boy is fighting for his life in hospital while a 15-year-old has been hospitalised with serious injuries after both were found with gun shot wounds on Vere Street in Collingwood, inner Melbourne, about 1am on Friday.
A crime scene was set up around the shooting, which happened near Collingwood College, and armed crime detectives are investigating.
Victoria police anti-gangs division Det Supt Jason Kelly said up to 50 youths had been fighting at a public housing estate on nearby Hoddle Street before the teens were shot and the group fled.
“It’s certainly concerning when a firearm is used in a public place … it’s really just luck that two people haven’t been killed,” he told reporters on Friday.
“[The 17-year-old] was treated by paramedics and conveyed to a local hospital, where he is at the moment and remains in a very serious condition.”
Several blocks around Palmer and Vere streets were cordoned off until late Friday morning.
Blood has stained parts of the street and the housing complex where the shooting unfolded, as neighbours were rattled by the violence.
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“When I slept I just heard ‘boom, boom, boom … 1737702606 I want to move house,” one resident told ABC Radio Melbourne.
Police said the attack was targeted and detectives are investigating whether those involved had any youth gang links.
“We will leave no stone unturned to investigate this matter,” Kelly said.
“The specific motivation has not been established … when we have two young children, a 15-year-old and a 17-year-old, shot on a public street in inner Melbourne, it’s certainly of great concern.”
He urged those involved in the brawl or shooting to come forward before police “come knocking” and said the victims’ families were being supported through the “horrific incident”.
“Members of the public would have been driving along that street and may have CCTV footage or dashcam footage [that may] assist that investigation,” Kelly said.
No arrests had been made over the shooting as of Friday afternoon, but a man who arrived at the scene in the morning was arrested after knives were found in his possession.
