Updated August 17, 2026 — 2:09pm,first published August 16, 2026 — 10:26pm

Gangland boss Fadi Haddara remains in a critical condition after being ambushed and shot in the face, stomach and chest outside his Altona North home.

Haddara, 48, was found lying in a pool of blood by a family member next to his parked car in his driveway on Marigold Avenue, near Millers Road, before 8pm on Sunday.

Police said the attack was targeted, but they are keeping an open mind about the shooting’s connection to Melbourne’s tobacco war.

Detective Inspector Adam Tilley, from the Victoria Police armed crime squad, confirmed Haddara had suffered “a number of” gunshot wounds to the upper body, and was receiving treatment in hospital.

“Shortly after 7.45pm, a family member of the victim attended a residence where they located the 48-year-old victim lying in a pool of blood next to his BMW,” Tilley said at a press conference.

“We don’t have a suspect at this stage. We are going to keep an open mind. We’re going to review all the intelligence holdings that we have in relation to our victim. Everything is on the table, and everything will be fully explored.”

Neighbours, who did not want to be identified over fears of retaliation, said they heard multiple gunshots before 8pm. Police and paramedics were quickly on scene.

The neighbours said they heard yelling inside the home as detectives arrived.

A family friend, who visited the scene on Monday morning, told reporters that Haddara was being treated in an intensive care unit with the bullets yet to be removed. He said there were children home when Haddara was shot.

Haddara was accused of holding a commanding position over the illicit tobacco trade in Melbourne – which he has always denied – but was allegedly squeezed out by a new gangland boss, Kazem “Kaz” Hamad, in early 2024.

Tilley said there were now concerns about a “flow-on effect” that could occur following the targeted attack, but that the armed crime squad was working with taskforces that target illicit tobacco syndicates.

“Their intelligence holdings will be shared with us at the armed crime squad,” he said. “We’ve consulted with those agencies within Victoria Police, and we’ve consulted other agencies as well, law enforcement agencies.

“Ultimately, we’re worried about any flow-on effect that may occur and flow into the community, which is a concern to us.”

Despite his reputation, neighbours said Haddara was friendly, often waving to neighbours as he drove along the street.

In a statement through their family lawyer, Zarah Garde-Wilson, the Haddara family requested privacy.

“At this time, the family respectfully requests privacy as they focus on the wellbeing of their loved one. The family will not be providing comment at this time.”

The attempted hit came as a “shock”, underworld sources say.

Haddara was a creature of habit, living and running many of his businesses in the same small pocket of Altona.

“It’s where he grew up. (He stayed) probably because that’s what he knows,” a source said.

Last year, as his hospitality empire crumbled, Fadi started a paint wholesaling business that was registered to the same address as the family’s Altona gym.

On Monday morning, half of Marigold Avenue remained completely blocked off.

Police cars were seen parked outside the home and along the street.

The front lights at Haddara’s home were on, but police tape blocked the driveway.

The Age has previously reported allegations that Haddara surrendered his stake in the illicit tobacco smuggling and distribution market following a relentless firebombing and shooting campaign waged by Hamad in 2023-2024, including Fadi finding multiple GPS trackers on his car.

The attack on Fadi has been met with surprise in the underworld given the clan was largely sidelined following Hamad’s establishment of cartel-like control over the tobacco market.

Attempts by some criminal players to take advantage of Hamad’s arrest in Iraq in January have met with acts of serious retribution by Hamad’s gang, known as The Commission or the 313.

Four businesses and a home owned or linked to the crime gang led by Haddara were attacked in March of this year alone, including the torching of the Capriccio Gelateria in Williamstown and a drive-by shooting targeting a crowd of men standing outside an Altona North kebab shop in the heart of the gang’s territory.

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Roy Ward is a sports writer, live blogger and breaking news journalist. He's been writing for The Age since 2010.Connect via X or email.