BN- Victoria Police are expected to investigate the possible involvement of an outlaw motorcycle gang in the shooting of a former kickbox...
Clay Auimatagi was wounded in the leg at 6.40pm on Friday, after three shots were fired outside the Skamma Gym in Vesper Drive.
A senior police source said the investigation would examine if the shooting was sparked by a turf war involving members of the Comancheros motorcycle gang, which have a clubhouse in the neighbouring suburb of Hallam.
Mr Auimatagi has told associates that he knows who was behind the attack, but it is unknown whether he has co-operated with investigators from the Armed Crime Squad.
The 44-year-old former kickboxing champion has links with several prominent security businesses and was a former shareholder in Cite Secure Pty Ltd, which was also based in Narre Warren South.
He is the owner of Skamma Gym, which specialises in mixed martial arts and self-defence training.
Former Comancheros president Mick Murray owns the Nitro Gym in Hallam, which was peppered with bullets in a 2013 attack, that was believed to have been carried out by members of the Hells Angels.
Murray was also the former owner of Nitro Security, which was placed into administration in 2010, but is believed to have continued operating under different corporate names, including Ultimate Crowd Control Pty Ltd.
Ultimate Crowd Control Pty Ltd was owned by Comancheros member Robert Morando, who is also on bail on charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice over allegations he threatened to cut open a man if he did not accept the blame for explosives found by police.
While Murray had promised to stand down as president of the Comancheros and is not permitted to associated with members as part of his bail conditions, he continues to wield influence in the gang.
In May, Murray was assaulted by members of the Rebels motorcycle gang at a Darwin nightclub, which sparked immediate retribution in Victoria.
Rebels Darwin president Jax Smith was gang-bashed outside the club's base in Yarrawonga, two Melbourne tattoo studios were fire-bombed and a house linked to a Rebels member was sprayed with bullets.
A truce was brokered at a meeting in Sydney involving office bearers from both clubs and senior police.
A police source has expressed concern that heightened tensions following the shooting of Mr Auimatagi could again spark revenge attacks.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/bikie-gang-link-to-gym-owner-shooting-20150906-gjg8kz.html#ixzz3kzlVV3Fm
