A man shot to death in a suspected drive-by shooting has been identified as a soon-to-be father and tradie.
Aaron Toth, a 30-year-old carpenter from Cranbourne, was found with a fatal gunshot wound inside a Volkswagen Golf on Bride Avenue at Hampton Park, in Melbourne’s south-east, at 12.30am on Saturday.
While Victoria Police have not said the suspected shooting is linked to organised crime, detectives believe the incident has all the hallmarks of a targeted execution.
Mr Toth, whose partner is expecting, died at the scene of the shooting.
His killers fled in a stolen Ford Ranger ute, which was found burnt out at Sweeny Reserve in Berwick, about 9km from the scene of the shooting, at about 2.30am.
Aaron Toth (pictured), a 30-year-old carpenter from Cranbourne, was found with a fatal gunshot wound inside a Volkswagen Golf on Saturday
Mr Toth was declared dead at the scene with Victoria Police investigating whether his execution was targeted (pictured, officers at the scene)
A close friend of Mr Toth said he was ‘on the way to Melbourne’ after hearing of his death.
‘A day too late for a catch up we will never have. I’ll never be able to tell you how much I love you as a mate for all you have done for me,’ he wrote online.
‘Aaron, my brother, I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you more but thank you for everything you ever did for me and my family. I’m so upset and f**ked up by your death.
‘I hope for the weak dog responsible for pulling the trigger that the cops find you before I do.’
Another friend said: ‘You will be forever missed.’
Neighbours reportedly heard two to four gunshots at the time of the fatal shooting.
Aslam Pasha, a resident who has lived on Bride Avenue for 25 years, told the Herald Sun the shooting took place in front of a rundown red brick home.
He claims the property frequently had visitors, often arriving on motorbikes at odd hours.
Another resident believed a mechanic lived in the home due to a number of cars coming and going at strange hours.
A third neighbour said she’d sent several complaints to police over the red brick home’s tenants.
Homicide Squad detectives are investigating Mr Toth’s death.
Mr Toth’s killers fled in a stolen Ford Ranger ute, which was found burnt out (pictured) at Sweeny Reserve in Berwick
They are working to determine Mr Toth’s movements in his final hours and why he was outside the red brick home.
The suspected targeted attack triggered an urgent search by police for the gunman.
Victoria Police have urged anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers.
