The drive-by shooting death of a Melbourne father-of-five may have been a case of mistaken identity as police reveal they have been unable to determine a motive for the crime.
Deer Park man Ikenasio Tuivasa, 33, known to family and friends as 'Sio' was standing outside the All Star Lounge on Westwood Drive in Ravenhall with a group of associates, when he was shot dead by a moving vehicle just before midnight on February 27 this year.
Investigators have been told a Toyota Hilux SR5 ute approached the group and stopped on the roadway, with a passenger calling out to gain their attention, before producing a gun and "firing a number of shots".
The ute then sped away towards Ballarat Road and was last seen travelling on the Western Highway towards Rockbank, in the city's west.
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A 24-year-old Endeavour Hills man who was standing nearby was also injured in the shooting.
Despite "extensive enquiries", Homicide Squad detectives are yet to establish a clear motive, prompting theories of mistaken identity in a feud between bikie gangs or community groups.
"Homicide detectives have made extensive enquiries into Mr Tuivasa's background, along with the other people who were present that night and found no discernible motive for the crime," Detective Inspector Tim Day said.
"We've identified a number of other altercations leading up to this incident involving members of the Pacific Islander community, in and around the same Westwood Drive venue and other similar venues in the northern suburbs and are working to establish if any these incidents are linked to the shooting.
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"Investigators have also identified that the venue is frequented by members of the Hells Angels and Comanchero outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMCG), some of which were at the venue on the previous night."
Police believe a separate altercation occurred outside the venue the night before, with intelligence indicating a firearm was produced during the confrontation.
"Investigators are trying to establish whether this incident is linked to the shooting in which Sio was killed.
"As we know – the type of characters running around in OMCGs are generally not rocket scientists and there are a number of examples over recent years of OMCG groups not doing their homework and killing an unintended innocent victim."
The ute is believed to be a dark grey 2017 Toyota Hilux SR5 dual-cab ute, with a chrome roll bar on the rear tray and stock wheels.
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Both occupants were perceived to be Pacific Islander in appearance and it is understood the passenger spoke Tongan.
Detectives have released images and CCTV of the ute believed to be involved, in the hope someone recognises it and can provide information about its movement on the night of the shooting and the identity of the occupants.
Anyone who was present at the incident and who has not yet spoken to police is urged to come forward.
Motorists who were in the area at the time and may have dashcam footage are urged to preserve it and contact Crime Stoppers.
Anyone with information that could assist investigators with their enquiries is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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