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Allanah Sciberras

Gunman on the run as family mourns shooting victim

A young man was fatally shot near a suburban soccer club, with police still hunting for his killer. (Christopher Hopkins/AAP PHOTOS)

A gunman who shot dead a groom-to-be in the car park of a suburban soccer club just weeks before his wedding is still on the run. 

Daniel Hussein was killed during gunfire near HR Uren Reserve on Victoria Drive in Thomastown, in Melbourne's north, about 7.30pm on Sunday, according to police.

The 22-year-old, from the same suburb, died at the scene despite efforts to revive him.

Daniel Hussein
Daniel Hussein has been identified as the victim of a fatal shooting in Melbourne. (PR IMAGE PHOTO)

Police say they are investigating the exact circumstances of the shooting, but believe Mr Hussein might have been involved in an altercation with others just moments before his death.

Mr Hussein’s uncle Abdallah Hussein described his loss as “enormous".

"The grief is beyond words," he said in an Instagram post.

“You were not only my nephew. You were a piece of my heart. A part of my life. A child I helped carry into this world, and someone I thought would be there until the end of mine.

"I watched you grow from that little boy I carried into the hospital, into the beautiful young man you became.

"I still cannot understand that I will never see your smile again, never hear your voice, never watch you walk through that door again."

Police quickly established a crime scene on Sunday, with part of Victoria Drive cordoned off and multiple police cars at the scene overnight.

Crime scene tape was taken down by detectives about 5.30am on Monday, with what were believed to be blood stains visible in the car park.

Blood at a crime scene
Police set up a crime scene in the car park, with forensic teams combing through evidence. (Christopher Hopkins/AAP PHOTOS)

Family members have taken to social media to pay tribute to the victim, while community members gathered at the scene shortly after the incident.

Tributes have been shared online for Mr Hussein, who was working as a plumber and was due to be married in a few weeks.

The shooting took place near Lalor United Football Club, where multiple junior matches had been played earlier on Sunday. 

Club president Rob Nedelkovski said clubroom cleaners noticed youths near the venue on Sunday night and a large police presence later that evening. 

“It’s not a good look, but it’s not related to the club,” he told ABC Radio. 

“It’s a general car park, and we’ll deal with it, talk to the council and see if we can get some additional measures put in place.”

No arrests have been made, but police have urged anyone with information or CCTV footage to contact them. 

Investigators don't believe the incident was linked to recent shootings, including one in Marigold Ave, Altona, on August 16 and another at Borrack Square shopping centre in Altona North on August 21.

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