(Source : ABC Australia) Victorian underworld figure Sam Abdulrahim, known as “The Punisher,” was shot and killed in a brazen daylight attack in Melbourne’s north on Tuesday morning. The 32-year-old former Mongols bikie member and professional boxer was gunned down in a car park on High Street, Preston, around 10:30 a.m. while walking toward his car. His girlfriend, who was with him at the time, provided first aid but was unable to save him. She escaped unharmed but was left “extremely distraught,” according to police.
A burnt-out white Porsche, believed to be linked to the shooting, was later found in Reservoir. Police suspect multiple offenders were involved and are investigating whether the attack was part of an ongoing underworld feud. Abdulrahim, who had survived several previous attempts on his life, was reportedly living under constant death threats. Sources told the ABC that a contract had been placed on his life, and his death was “only a matter of time.”
Abdulrahim had a long history of involvement in Melbourne’s criminal underworld, including ties to the illicit tobacco trade and a 2016 murder case. He was also convicted in 2015 for a fatal car crash that killed 88-year-old Muriel Hulett. Despite his attempts to maintain a low profile, Abdulrahim remained a marked man, with his home and a linked gym previously targeted in drive-by shootings and firebombings.
Victoria Police Detective Inspector Dean Thomas confirmed that Abdulrahim had received “safety warnings” in the past but said there was no indication of an imminent threat prior to the shooting. Police have increased their presence in the area to prevent potential retaliation and are working with Taskforce Lunar, which investigates organized crime linked to the tobacco trade.
Abdulrahim’s death has left family and friends in shock, with one social media post describing him as having “a heart behind the tough guy image.” Homicide detectives are leading the investigation, vowing to “leave no stone unturned” to bring those responsible to justice. The killing marks another violent chapter in Melbourne’s ongoing gangland conflicts.
