Underworld figure Suleiman ‘Sam’ Abdulrahim has survived another murder attempt as police investigate whether he was lured out of his home to carry out the hit.
The shooting outside the north Melbourne home belonging to Abdulrahim, known as ‘The Punisher’, is suspected to be the latest development in the city’s underworld tobacco wars.
It is understood shots were fired outside Abdulrahim’s home on Larch Street in Thomastown at around 3.15am on Friday morning.
Victoria Police said detectives from the armed crime squad are investigating the shooting.
“Police are working to establish the exact circumstances of the incident and investigations are ongoing,” he said.
Neighbors reportedly heard the commotion before the criminals fled the scene.
Underworld figure Suleiman ‘Sam’ Abdulrahim (pictured) has survived another alleged assassination attempt following a shooting outside his home in Melbourne.
Abdulrahim, 32, was not seriously injured, but officers are believed to be investigating whether he was deliberately taken from his home to be executed.
The shooting occurred after another serious attempt on Abdulrahim’s life in 2022 and a series of fires in tobacco shops.
Illegal tobacco syndicates are suspected of being responsible for 75 arson attacks since March last year, 49 of which targeted tobacconists.
In 2022, Abdulrahim was gunned down during his cousin’s funeral procession on 25 June, sparking fears that Melbourne’s underworld could explode in a wave of violence.
He was shot eight times, four of them in the chest, and suffered severe damage to his lungs, kidneys and liver.
Detective Inspector Mark Hatt said at the time there was “significant concern” among the local community about a possible explosion in crime.
The shooting follows a series of fires at tobacco shops in Melbourne, which are suspected of being organized by illegal tobacco syndicates.
“We understand that incidents like this cause great concern throughout the community,” he said.
‘Are you sure; The indiscriminate use of illicit firearms remains a key focus for Victoria Police. “We are committed to targeting those involved in these types of crimes and holding them accountable.”
Anyone with information or CCTV is asked to contact Crime Stoppers.
More to come.
