UPDATE: A man has been arrested after he handed himself in over the shooting of a woman in Northcote.
The woman, 22, was found with a gunshot wound to her leg and facial injuries.
Police were called to a residence located behind Joe’s Organic Market on Victoria Road in Northcote about 4.30am on Friday.
The woman was treated by paramedics at the scene before being taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital in a serious condition.
The man handed himself in at the St Kilda Road police station just after 3pm and is being questioned.
Fairfax Media understands the victim knew the shooter and that police quickly identified a suspect.
Investigators are yet to speak to the victim, Detective Acting Sergeant Mick Drew said. “We won’t be able to speak to her for some time,” he said.
He said police were yet to identify any witnesses, making it crucial that they speak to the young woman as soon as possible.
He said the woman was known to police, but would not comment on speculation that she knew the gunman.
It is not clear whether there were any other people at the residence at the time.
The owner of Joe’s Organic Market said the residence is behind the fruit and vegetable shop, but that the property is owned by someone else.
“It is owned by someone else. I keep the door locked,” he said.
He said he had previously met the woman, but did not know her name.
The shop, an organic grocery store on a stretch of shops between a milk bar and laundrette, has been taped off.
A laneway runs behind the property, which has multiple entry points.
A neighbour, Christian Lassus, said he heard nothing overnight.
“I’m very, very surprised,” Mr Lassus said. “I go to the shop two or three times a week and they are very lovely, you know.”
However, local shops owners who began arriving to open for the day’s trade on Friday were less surprised to find that a shooting had happened on their doorstep.
“When I rolled up this morning, straight away I thought it would’ve been Joe’s shop,” cafe owner Steve Lund said.
“The area is pretty good, but I wouldn’t walk around here at night.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
This story first appeared in The Age
