Gangland figure Sam “The Punisher” Abdulrahim has been shot dead in broad daylight in front of his girlfriend, with a Porsche linked to the attack found burnt a few kilometres away.

The 32-year-old man from Thomastown was gunned down in a car park on High Street at Preston, in Melbourne’s north, about 10.30am on Tuesday, Homicide Squad Detective Inspector Dean Thomas said.

He died at the scene after attempts at first aid by a woman police believe is his girlfriend, as well as police and paramedics.

“She’s extremely upset and distraught, and she’s doing the best to speak to us and provide us with whatever information,” Thomas said.

After the ambush, dozens of officers and police cars blocked a 100-metre stretch of road outside an apartment block as detectives came and went from the scene.

There was a bullet shell or casing on the road about 20 metres from a hotel.

Underworld figure Sam “The Punisher” Abdulrahim has reportedly been shot dead. Photo: AAP

Thomas said a Porsche SUV was found burnt out four kilometres away at Reservoir an hour after the shooting. Police believe it may be connected to the killing.

A group of people spoke to a police officer as they sat out the front of a neighbouring business inside police perimeters.

“Family and friends are very, very distraught, and understandably so, they’ve lost a loved one,” Thomas said.

An associate of Abdulrahim posted a tribute on social media.

“It is with great sadness that our dear brother Sam Abdulrahim has tragically passed away and returned to his Lord,” they wrote.

“May Allah have mercy on his soul, forgive his sins and give his family patience and strength.”

Abdulrahim had survived previous attempts on his life.

In May 2024 shots were fired at his Thomastown home, injuring the bikie-turned-boxer, and then in August the house was set alight. He had also survived a shooting at Fawkner in June 2022.

He was jailed for more than three years in 2018 after killing a grandmother in a crash. While in prison, he was attacked with a rock.

Abdulrahim was released on parole in 2019 with time served.It was revoked six months later by the parole board when police feared he was the target of three shootings.

He spent 72 days in custody, including 35 days in solitary confinement, because of concerns he was in danger.

The board’s decision was later overturned by a Victorian Supreme Court judge, who found Abdulrahim had done nothing to warrant his parole being revoked.

In February 2024, arsonists targeted two Melbourne venues in the lead-up to a fight Abdulrahim was due to be in.

-AAP