How a McDonald’s straw provided a vital clue in Chaser’s nightclub shooting on Melbourne’s Chapel St
A man has been convicted of his involvement in a drive-by shooting after his DNA was found on a McDonald’s straw he dumped after the incident.
Michael Alfred, 22, was found guilty by a Victorian County Court jury of being part of a shooting outside Chasers Nightclub in South Yarra, Melbourne, in February 2020.
One man, Machar Machar, 19, was injured in the shooting after prominent Melbourne rapper Sean ‘BBG Smokey’ Deng performed at the club.
Alfred was sitting in the passenger seat of a stolen Audi used in the shooting, which was later found abandoned next to a McDonald’s cup and fake license plates, according to court documents.
Although prosecutors were unable to prove whether he shot the gun, he was implicated in the incident after his DNA was found on the cup and plates.
A man has been jailed for his involvement in a drive-by shooting at Melbourne’s Chasers Nightclub in February 2020 (photo, police on scene)
Michael Alfred, 22, was linked to the incident by DNA evidence found on a McDonald’s straw (stock image) left next to the stolen vehicle used in the shooting
The presiding judge, Andrew Palmer, said the DNA evidence presented by prosecutors was damning of Alfred.
“You were 270 times more likely to have contributed or not to a mixed DNA profile found on screws for the Audi’s fake rear number plate, while your left fingerprint was found on the number plate itself,” he said. Herald Sun reports.
Judge Palmer also noted that the stolen vehicle “circled the block several times” before gunshots were fired.
He said this indicated Alfred and the driver were looking for a specific person, most likely Mr Machar.
Despite conceding that Alfred could not be found guilty of firing the gun, Judge Palmer said he would be convicted because he “understood” the shooting.
Alfred was found guilty of theft, intentionally causing injury and possessing a firearm as a prohibited person.
He was given a non-parole period of 18 months but has already spent 264 days in custody.
Although he could not be charged with firing the gun that injured 19-year-old Machar Machar (pictured), he was convicted based on knowledge of the shooting.