Who was Mohammed Keshtiar: Underworld figure shot near Melbourne’s Chapel St in a hail of bullets

Mohammed Akbar Keshtiar had links to Melbourne’s underworld for over two decades and was reportedly linked to the Mongolian biker gang before he was shot.

‘Afghan Ali’, as he was also known, was shot down in a hail of bullets as he walked past Almeida Crescent, South Yarra at about 11:40pm Friday night as revelers celebrated the weekend in nearby Chapel Street. He was rushed to hospital where he later died.

Keshtiar previously survived a gunman’s attempt to end his life six years ago.

Police are investigating whether the 53-year-old’s death is linked to his “associations” with biker gangs, amid concerns the tensions could turn into a gang war.

Keshtiar was born and spent much of his childhood in Afghanistan, at a time when the country was divided by a fierce civil war between Russian-backed communists and Islamist rebels.

He spent part of his teenage years in Pakistan, which along with the US was sympathetic to the rebels.

Keshtiar was 19 when he emigrated to Australia with his family, who were considered decent, law-abiding people trying to escape conflict at home, reports The age.

Keshtiar spent much of the 1990s working hard in security industry jobs around Melbourne.

It was during this decade in the industry that he probably made contacts in the city’s underworld.

Having spent his formative years in a war-torn country, he was not one to shy away from guns and, coupled with his reputation for a fiery disposition, it wasn’t long before he was on the police radar.

In May 2000, he punched an employee of Dome nightclub in Prahran in the face before being kicked out the back door.

He and a friend then walked to the front of the venue where he pulled out a pistol and shot another employee in the thigh.

He was arrested and released on bail, but before he could return to court, police also charged him with the attempted murder of his girlfriend and a friend.

The then 34-year-old had bought drugs with the boyfriend on January 18, 2003 and went to his girlfriend’s house in Burwood where an argument had broken out when Keshtiar accused the woman of cheating on him.

Keshtiar drew a revolver and began firing wildly.

One bullet hit his girlfriend and three hit his friend, leaving him with life-threatening injuries.

“Look what you made me do. I hope you’re damn happy,” Keshtiar yelled at his victims

He then yanked out of his raging state and called triple-zero expressing concern for their well-being.

He initially admitted to police that he pulled the trigger, but his tone changed when he finally appeared in court.

He claimed that underworld figure Sam Zayat, who had recently been shot himself, was responsible and that he had covered for him.

A jury disagreed and Keshtiar was found guilty of two counts of attempted murder.

He was also found guilty of assault and intentionally causing serious injury during the Dome nightclub shooting and pleaded guilty to possession of steroids.

He received a 15 and a half year sentence with a non-parole period of 12 years.

Justice Bernard Teague noted that the Burwood shooting was particularly disturbing because of the speed with which Keshtiar had transitioned from “beserk shooter” to “cooperative care seeker” when he called paramedics.

It was noted that his use of steroids and drugs may have been a factor.

Keshtiar was sent to Barwon Prison where he allegedly entered allegiance with the Mongolian biker gang and even attempted a coup from behind bars.

The club has officially denied that he was a ‘patched’ member, but it is believed he had a large club following inside and outside prison.

Keshtiar had already survived an attempt on his life shortly after his release from prison in 2017.

A gunman waited outside his home in Narre Warren but instead accidentally shot employee Zabi Ezedyar, a 26-year-old plasterer, who was also there.

It appears he couldn’t escape a second attempt with police confirming on Saturday morning that the shooting was a ‘targeted attack’ as Keshtiar and another man walked back from a gym.

“There was a man with the victim, but he’s not coming with any information,” Detective Geri Porter said.

“This was not a random attack. This was targeted.’

The other man was not injured.

Det Supt Porter confirmed that police had identified “associations” with organized crime during their early investigations, but said it was unclear whether those associations played a role in Friday night’s attack.

After the shooting, police found a car on fire in Rowville in eastern Melbourne on Saturday morning, and believe there may be a connection.

Det Supt Porter urged anyone who saw suspicious activity on or around Churchill Park Drive in South Yarra between midnight and 5am on Saturday to come forward.

“We are deeply concerned about not only the risk to the people or individuals who are targeted, but also about innocent community members getting caught up in this kind of activity,” said Det Supt Porter.

“We currently have dedicated and dedicated researchers on this matter, as well as … specialist support units.”

She could not say whether police were concerned about possible retaliatory attacks.

CCTV is expected to play a vital role in the investigation, Det Supt Porter said.

She urged anyone with information about the shooting to speak to police.