$500k reward for info two years after cyclist, 72, randomly shot
A 72-year-old grandfather who was repeatedly shot in the head and chest as he cycled along a trail in Victoria's north-east still has no answers as to who shot him, or why, more than two years on.
Police are ramping up their investigation and on Wednesday announced a $500,000 reward for information after the February 18, 2017 shooting on the Myrtleford-Everton rail trail in Everton.
Kelvin Tennant still suffers hearing and eyesight loss, after almost dying in what detectives say appears to be a random attack.
Mr Tennant describes his hearing in one ear as like standing at the base of a waterfall.
An unknown man got out of a dark-coloured sedan and unloaded bullets into the then 72-year-old man's head and chest from about two metres away about 12pm that Saturday.
Mr Tennant, a retired school teacher from Ringwood, said "time froze".
"When he started shooting, I felt it was all over," he told reporters on Wednesday.
He considers himself "blessed" for surviving, but it took a lot to get through it. After finishing rehab, the grandfather returned to riding and rides everyday using a powered bike.
"I had dark moments initially ... You get through this with a positive approach."
Mr Tennant's daughter Natalie Knox, 44, said her father was "quite unrecognisable" when she first saw him more than two years ago.
"He [still] has some days where he’s not quite right," she said.
Mr Tennant has previously told how he pleaded with the shooter, asking him "Why are you doing this to me?"
But before he passed out, Mr Tennant said he deliberately exhaled loudly and then played dead so that the shooter would not shoot him yet again.
Two passing cyclists found him lying unconscious on the ground.
He was airlifted to The Alfred hospital in a life-threatening condition and took months to recover.
Detectives still don't know why the grandfather was targeted by the shooter, which Armed Crime Squad Detective Inspector Dean Thomas admits is "extremely frustrating".
"Kelvin was simply out enjoying riding his motorised bike along [the] rail trail when someone has tried to kill him," Armed Crime Squad Detective Inspector Dean Thomas said.
Inspector Thomas said the remote trail was popular with tourists, and on Wednesday urged anyone who may have been in the area at the time to search their memories.
"It's very possible that an interstate visitor on holidays in north-eastern Victoria that weekend has seen something but doesn’t realise that what they know could be important," he said.
The $500,000 reward will be paid for information leading to the apprehension and subsequent conviction of those responsible, at the discretion of the Victoria Police Chief Commissioner.
The Director of Public Prosecutions can also consider granting immunity from prosecution to anyone who provides information about the main offender.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppers.com.au.