Gunman who opened fire outside a Melbourne nightclub in a 'horrendous' attack which left a bouncer dead 'didn't care who they shot at' - as police investigate 'links to a bikie extortion attempt' on the venue

  • Police say the killer 'didn't care who they shot at - it's just indiscriminate
  • Links to an outlaw bikie gang who tried to extort the club will be investigated 
  • Police are yet to speak to the victims or establish a motive for the shooting
  • Aaron Khalid Osmani, 37, died in hospital from his injuries after he was shot 
  • Gunman remains on the run following the shooting outside the Love Machine 

By Alana Mazzoni For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 11:30 EDT, 14 April 2019 | Updated: 11:30 EDT, 14 April 2019

Police say the person who killed a nightclub bouncer in a drive-by shooting on Sunday morning 'didn't care who they shot at'. 

A manhunt is underway for the gunman after Aaron Khalid Osmani, 37, was shot dead and four others were wounded outside Melbourne's Love Machine nightclub. 

'They didn't care who they shot at - it's just indiscriminate,' a police source told the Herald Sun, saying the killer had fired at random, hitting security guards and patrons. 

The Porsche's getaway driver almost crashed the car in making a hasty escape from the club in Prahran at about 3.20am. 

It is not known whether the shooter and getaway driver had earlier been in the club.

Police are yet to speak to the victims, or establish a motive for the 'horrific' shooting.  

They're going over CCTV footage, and are expected to investigate links to an outlaw bikie gang which has made extortion attempts on the nightclub, The Age reported.  

Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper said no stone would be left unturned in finding those responsible for 'this horrendous act'.

The footpath was splattered with blood for more than 100 metres as one of the men shot in the arm ran from the scene to get help

The footpath was splattered with blood for more than 100 metres as one of the men shot in the arm ran from the scene to get help

'I want to reassure the community straight up that the full resources of the crime department are actively investigating this matter at the moment and no stone will left unturned in terms of finding the people who carried out this act,' he said.

'This is a horrendous act. A busy nightclub, one of the main nightclubs in one of the main entertainment precincts of Melbourne.'

Mr Osmani was among three security guards hit by the volley of bullets.

Police say the gunman was driving a stolen black Porsche Cayenne, which was later found burnt out in Wollert in the city's north on Sunday morning.

Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper, from Victoria's Homicide Squad, described the  victims' injuries as 'horrific'.

'Those gunshot wounds were from a fairly close proximity... so, you know... horrific injuries.

Aaron Khalid Osmani, 37, died in hospital from his injuries after he was shot outside the Love Machine Nightclub

Aaron Khalid Osmani, 37, died in hospital from his injuries after he was shot outside the Love Machine Nightclub

'This is just a horrendous act. It's a busy nightclub, one of the main nightclubs in Melbourne in one of the main entertainment precincts in Melbourne.'  

Ms Osmani is being remembered as a 'beautiful soul' who was loved by all. 

He died in hospital from his injuries after he was shot in the face while working at the Love Machine nightclub.

Three other men, two guards and a patron lining up to get into the nightclub, were also shot and taken to Royal Alfred Hospital for treatment. 

One of the men, aged 28, remains in a critical condition while the two others, aged 50 and 29, are stable with non-life threatening injuries. 

Friends and colleagues of Mr Osmani flooded social media with tributes to the 'kind soul'.

'My heart is broken... you were the most kind-hearted soul I have met since I started working at Love Machine,' wrote one female worker at the club.

'The most humble security guard I have ever had the pleasure to call a friend.'

'You were everything to me. I'm broken that you are gone,' wrote another. 

Mr Osmani, who was shot in the face, has been remembered as ‘kind-hearted and humble’ by devastated friends and colleagues

Mr Osmani, who was shot in the face, has been remembered as 'kind-hearted and humble' by devastated friends and colleagues 

Forensic police were at the scene outside Love Machine on Sunday morning

Forensic police were at the scene outside Love Machine on Sunday morning

Steve Yousif, a host at the nightclub, also took to Facebook after the tragedy.

He said: 'Overwhelmed with all your calls and texts, nothing but love for you all.

'What happened last night was uncalled for and devastating. For some of you it was a night out, the rest of the Love Machine family lost a beautiful soul today.' 

The scene outside the Love Machine nightclub in Prahran after the deadly shooting

The scene outside the Love Machine nightclub in Prahran after the deadly shooting

Clothing and bullet casings remained scattered along the footpath

Clothing and bullet casings remained scattered along the footpath

The nightclub was still packed with patrons at the time of the shooting, who left the venue via a back entrance after police deemed the area safe.

A security guard at the nightclub told Seven's Sunday Sunrise he had no idea there had been a shooting outside and there was no panic inside the venue.

Sunrise also reported a person shot in the arm ran up Chapel Street to get help at a nearby business. 

Blood could be seen on the footpath for more than 100 metres from the scene. 

Clothes and bullet casings were also scattered along the footpath outside the nightclub.

As daylight broke, forensic police spent several hours photographing evidence at the scene

As daylight broke, forensic police spent several hours photographing evidence at the scene

Local resident Edie said the shooting was rare for the neighbourhood. 

'There is a bit of trouble around here, but it's usually fighting and stabbings,' she told the Herald Sun.

'It's scary because it's right on your doorstep - it could have happened to one of us.'

The venue's Facebook page had promised a night of old school grooves on Saturday night.

The Love Machine is one of Melbourne's most popular nightclubs and was recently refurbished by new owners. 

Police said an investigation is underway and the exact circumstances are still being established.

Police are also reviewing CCTV footage from the vicinity.  

Anyone with information or footage of the incident should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. 

There was a heavy presence of police in Prahran on Sunday as they investigated the shooting

There was a heavy presence of police in Prahran on Sunday as they investigated the shooting

The Love Machine was still packed with nightclub patrons at the time of the shooting

The Love Machine was still packed with nightclub patrons at the time of the shooting

One man is dead and another is fighting for life following Sunday morning's drive-by shooting

One man is dead and another is fighting for life following Sunday morning's drive-by shooting

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Gunman who killed a bouncer and wounded four others at Melbourne club 'didn't care who they shot at'

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