Gangland shooting of Fadi Haddara in Melbourne's Altona North sparks underworld fears
Consensus Summary
Fadi Haddara, a 48-year-old crime family patriarch, was ambushed and shot multiple times in his driveway in Altona North on Sunday night just before 8pm, leaving him in critical but stable condition. The attack, described as a targeted and professional hit, has shocked the underworld, as Haddara had largely retired from the illicit tobacco trade after a brutal feud with Kazem Hamad, leader of The Commission. Police have not identified suspects, but Hamad remains a primary suspect due to his long-standing rivalry with Haddara and his family. The shooting follows years of violence, including firebombings of Haddara-linked businesses in 2023-2024 and the deaths of Haddara’s associates, such as Sam Abdulrahim in January 2025. Underworld sources fear the attack could escalate tensions, while police are investigating to prevent further retaliation. Haddara’s surrender of his tobacco empire by February 2024 and a reported $1 million compensation payment to Hamad had previously secured his safety, but the recent shooting suggests lingering threats from Hamad’s syndicate or other rivals.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Fadi Haddara, a 48-year-old crime family patriarch, was shot multiple times in his driveway in Altona North on Sunday night just before 8pm
- Haddara was found lying in a pool of blood next to his black BMW with gunshot wounds to his face, stomach, and chest
- Haddara was taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital with life-threatening injuries and remains in a critical but stable condition
- The shooting occurred at Haddara’s home on Marigold Avenue, Altona North
- Police have not identified any suspects, getaway vehicle, or weapon in the shooting
- Kazem Hamad, leader of The Commission, is a primary suspect due to his long-standing feud with Haddara and his family
- Haddara was allegedly a major player in Australia’s illicit tobacco market until early 2023
- Hamad launched a hostile takeover of the tobacco trade in 2023, targeting Haddara’s businesses with firebombings and shootings
- Haddara surrendered his involvement in the tobacco trade by February 2024 in exchange for his safety and paid $1 million in compensation to Hamad
- Haddara’s brother, Mohammed Haddara, was killed in a drive-by shooting in 2009 on Fifth Avenue, Altona North
- Haddara was pictured in 2020 in a photo provided by ABC
- Police Operation Eclipse, investigating The Commission, is providing intelligence to the shooting investigation
- Haddara’s four children were inside the home during the ambush
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Haddara recently opened a paint supply business and was living a low-profile life focused on family businesses
- In February 2024, Haddara discovered multiple GPS trackers on the underside of his car, indicating Hamad was planning an assassination attempt
- In October 2023, a gunman opened fire on someone mistaken for Haddara outside a home in Altona North, prompting police to arrest Haddara on weapons charges (later dropped)
- Two associates of Haddara were killed by Hamad: Mohammed 'Afghan Ali' Keshtiar died in August 2023, and Sam 'The Punisher' Abdulrahim was killed in January 2025
- Abdulrahim’s death was tied to a personal grudge involving a fatal ambush in 2016
- Haddara’s lawyer, Zarah Garde-Wilson, stated in early 2023 that Haddara had 'no interest' in the tobacco trade
- Haddara was at the height of his power in early 2023 and allegedly on the cusp of forming a cartel to control the tobacco black market
- Haddara had dominated the illicit tobacco trade for more than a decade
- Hamad was sentenced to life in prison in Iraq in January 2024
- Businesses linked to Haddara were firebombed or shot at in March of this year (2026)
- Hamad’s 23-year-old associate assumed his mantle in Iraq, leading to increasingly violent tactics
- The shooting is described as part of a 'big war that won’t stop' in Melbourne’s underworld
- Underworld sources speculate the attack could be a 'power move' from an enemy, possibly Hamad’s group, to send a message to rivals
- Sam 'The Punisher' Abdulrahim was killed last year (2025) after two unsuccessful attempts on his life in 2022 and two years later (2024)
- Abdulrahim was shot eight times in 2022 while leaving a family funeral at Fawkner Cemetery and drove himself to a police station
- In 2024, gunmen fired 17 shots outside Abdulrahim’s home before he fled
- Ali al-Huseini, believed to be behind the first attempt on Abdulrahim’s life, fled Australia days after the 2022 attempt and is now a senior shot-caller in Hamad’s syndicate
- Hamad implemented a 'tax' on tobacco retailers between $10,000 and $25,000 a week, requiring them to sell cigarettes smuggled from the Middle East
- Haddara was born in Lebanon and arrived in Australia at age six, dropping out of school in year 11 before working in security and kickboxing
- A neighbour heard two large bangs during the shooting
- Police hope the incident won’t prompt an ongoing feud
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Age states Haddara surrendered his tobacco trade involvement by February 2024, while ABC does not mention this specific timeline or surrender
- The Age reports Haddara was shot inside his car or by multiple shooters, while ABC does not specify the exact location or number of shooters
- The Age mentions a $1 million murder contract on Haddara by Hamad in February 2024, but ABC does not reference this specific detail
- The Age states Haddara’s lawyer denied his involvement in tobacco stores in early 2023, while ABC does not mention this denial or the lawyer’s statement
Source Articles
He lived like a man with nothing to fear. His shooting has left even the underworld shocked
Once a flash and fearsome crime boss, Fadi Haddara had slipped off the radar. Now he has been shot in the driveway of his family home.
A driveway shooting that could spark trouble in Melbourne's 'big war'
The attempted assassination of gangland family patriarch Fadi Haddara may trigger more violence between Melbourne's crime networks, law enforcement and underworld sources fear.
Alleged gangland boss Fadi Haddara shot in Melbourne's inner west
Alleged gangland boss Fadi Haddara, the head of his namesake family crime clan, has been shot in Melbourne's inner west.
Gangland boss Fadi Haddara shot in Melbourne's inner west
Gangland boss Fadi Haddara, the head of his namesake family crime clan, has been shot in Melbourne's inner west.
Haddara crime family boss shot in Altona North
Police are investigating after a man was shot in Altona North on Sunday evening.