21-Year-Old Man Fatally Shot in Deliberate and Targeted Attack in Wollert

Melbourne, Australia — July 31, 2025 — A 21-year-old man was fatally shot in a deliberate and targeted attack in Melbourne’s northern suburb of Wollert on Thursday morning. The incident occurred shortly before 9 a.m. in a laneway behind a residential property on Champions Parade.

Incident Details

According to Victoria Police, the victim was approached by an unknown assailant in the laneway and shot multiple times. Emergency services responded promptly, but despite efforts to revive him, the young man was declared dead at the scene. The attacker fled the location in a vehicle, which was later found burned out on Amery Street in Reservoir, approximately 10 kilometers away from the crime scene.

Victim’s Identity and Background

The victim has been identified as Athan Boursinos, the son of a retired Victoria Police officer. Reports indicate that Boursinos was scheduled to appear in court the same day on various charges, including drug, weapon, theft, and driving offenses. He is also believed to have had associations with organized crime figures, including exiled crime boss Kazem ‘Kaz’ Hamad.

Investigation and Law Enforcement Response

Detective Inspector Dean Thomas from the Homicide Squad described the shooting as “very deliberate and obviously targeted.” He emphasized that the investigation remains open, with authorities exploring all possibilities regarding the motive. Police are urging anyone with information, particularly dashcam footage from the area around the time of the incident, to come forward.

Community Reaction

The shooting has sent shockwaves through the Wollert community. Residents expressed concern over the brazen nature of the attack, which occurred in broad daylight in a suburban area. Local authorities have assured the public that there is no ongoing threat to the community and are working diligently to apprehend those responsible.

Related Incidents

This fatal shooting adds to a series of recent violent events in Melbourne’s northern suburbs, including the high-profile murder of gangland figure Sam “The Punisher” Abdulrahim earlier this year. Police are investigating potential connections between these incidents as part of their broader efforts to address organized crime in the region.

This article will be updated as more information becomes available.