Heavily-tattooed man, 28, shot dead in suspected gangland attack in Melbourne is identified as a gun-toting former Syrian soldier – but his family say he's a 'good boy'
- The victim of double homicide has been identified as 28-year-old Ali Ali
- He is believed to have been in the army and has a penchant for weapons
- In a number of unearthed social media posts Ali poses with a series of rifles
- Second victim of the shooting has been identified as 40-year-old Deniz Hasan
- Both men were fatally shot in Meadow Heights, near Melbourne, on Monday
Ali Ali (pictured) was fatally shot in Meadow Heights, 18km from Melbourne, on Monday evening
One of the victims of a double homicide has been identified as an 'ex-army solider' with a penchant for lethal weapons.
Ali Ali was fatally shot in Meadow Heights, 18km from Melbourne, on Monday around 10.15pm in what is believed to be a targeted attack.
While a second victim, who has been identified as 40-year-old Deniz Hasan, was gunned down just 500 metres away.
In a series of unearthed social media posts, Ali can be seen posing with an array of rifles, but his heartbroken family still maintain his innocence.
In one image he is seen behind the wheel of a vehicle holding a silver hand gun, while another much larger gun, is placed on the front seat of the car.
In another menacing shot, the 28-year-old is seen pointing a rifle directly at the camera.
And in a third image Ali appears to be on a residential street, while he points a lethal weapon at the main road.
Ali's social media page has images from his time in the Middle East.
In another image Ali (pictured left) stands next to a portrait of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad's father, Hafez al-Assad
In a series of unearthed social media posts, Ali can be seen posing with an array of rifles (Ali pictured holding a handgun)
He's pictured in military uniform, and in one particular image he stands in front of a bombed house.
In another image Ali stands next to a portrait of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad's father, Hafez al-Assad.
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In spite of the images, Ali's shattered family have since spoken out to declare his innocence.
'He was a very nice boy… he love everyone... a good boy, innocent, but his life is finished,' Ali's uncle Omar Attae told 9News.
A third image, Ali (pictured) appears to be on a residential street, while he points a lethal weapon at the main road
Both Ali and 40-year-old Deniz Hasan were gunned down just 500metres apart on Monday evening ( Meadow Heights pictured)
'We don't understand, who fighting... nobody understand nothing,' he added.
It's understood Ali's mother was abroad when he was killed, but is now on her way home.
Ali's childhood friend Kayla Collins also paid tribute to him.
She described Ali as someone who would do anything to help anybody.
'Ali was an awesome guy,' she told Daily Mail Australia.
'He did everything for everyone, he always put others first before himself and would take his shirt of back to put it on someone,' she added.
While Ms Collins didn't want to comment on the resurfaced images of Ali holding various rifles, she said that he was previously in the army in Iraq.
Ali was found in Morris Court, and died shortly after ambulance and paramedic teams rendered aid.
He was seen by a witness being pushed down the street in a shopping trolley, pleading for help as he bled out.
Police have confirmed that the two shootings are not connected, 'other than that they're people who know each other and they're a targeted attack'.
The body of Mitat Rasimi (pictured) - a known associate of drug kingpin Tony Mokbel, according to The Herald Sun - was found in Dandenong, at 9:55pm on Sunday
Only one day prior, the body of Mitat Rasimi - a known associate of drug kingpin Tony Mokbel, according to The Herald Sun - was found in Dandenong, at 9:55pm.
He had crashed his car into a pole, but had been shot several times prior to attempting to drive away from the scene.
On Friday, young father Ben Togiai was shot dead at a boxing tournament in Kensington.
While the three separate shootings of the four men are not believed to be connected, police acknowledge they do share similarities.
'The best information we have at this point in time is that none of the shootings are connected, but all three shootings do share some degrees of commonality.
Mr Togiai (left) left behind a three-year-old-daughter and his partner Shae Mccoullough (pictured) wrote on social media that she'd give anything to bring him back
'The first is that all parties were known to each other (in each incident). The second is all of the circumstances that led to each of those respective shootings arose from planned contact,' Crime Command acting Assistant Commissioner Michael Frewen said.
Police have revealed the names of three men they believe could assist with investigations in relation to the death of Mr Togiai.
Family members Abdullah and Ali El Nasher, 27 and 28 respectively, and Mikhael Myko, 25, are all wanted for questioning over the triple shooting.
Anyone with information is urged to contact CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 00
The fatal shootings of four men in a string of attacks initially believed to be drug-related may in fact be a part of gang wars
