Fire uncovers evidence

A SECTION off the Great Ocean Road has become the focus of a homicide squad probe into the death of a young man gunned down in case of mistaken identity in Melbourne last year.

Muhammed Yucel was shot and killed while playing computer games in the garage of a Keysborough house just before 10pm on May 2 and detectives believe the Comanchero bikie gang is responsible.

The 22-year-old was struck in the chest and died at the scene.

Police have revealed they were treating his death as a case of mistaken identity and that the shooting had links to outlaw motorcycle gangs.

Two other Keysborough men, aged 23 and 22, received single gunshot wounds and were taken to hospital.

A dark coloured 4WD or similar type of vehicle was seen leaving the scene and it’s unknown how many people were in the vehicle at the time of the shooting.

In a twist, Forest Fire Management Victoria conducted a burn on behalf of Victoria Police in grassland near Eastern View beach yesterday.

It started about 1pm and lasted the afternoon.

Police media spokeswoman Natalie Webster con- firmed the Great Ocean Road search was for evidence but said police would not be providing further details regarding the nature of that evidence.

The burn-off delayed traffic, with one lane of the road closed for multiple hours.

The search comes less than a month after Homicide Squad investigators joined with Mr Yucel’s family to appeal for information.

Investigators are currently in possession of a fire- arm that has now been forensically linked to the shooting and the burn was a search for further evidence in relation to that.

They also have information that a grey Toyota Corolla may have travelled to the area around the time of the shooting and would like to hear from anyone who saw this vehicle in the area at the time.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.