Victoria Police have offered a $1m reward for information leading to the conviction of those responsible for the murder of Mohammed Keshtiar, who was shot dead in a drive-by attack in South Yarra last August. The 4 August 2023 killing occurred in a laneway off Chapel Street, with a stolen grey Toyota Prado approaching Keshtiar and an associate on Almeida Crescent. A passenger fired multiple shots, then a person in dark clothing exited the vehicle and fired more rounds at Keshtiar as he lay on the ground. The gunman fled in the car, which was later found burnt out in Endeavour Hills. Passersby tried to help Keshtiar, but he died in hospital; his associate was unharmed.
Detective Inspector Dean Thomas of the homicide squad described the murder as a 'deliberate, planned and organised assassination' and a concerning display of public violence. He said Keshtiar had links to outlaw motorcycle gangs and Middle Eastern organised crime groups, and police are keeping an open mind about whether the killing is connected to an ongoing underworld war over illegal tobacco profits. 'We know that our victim has connections to a number of organised crime groups and this has added complexity to the investigation,' Thomas said on Monday.
Police believe multiple people had prior knowledge of the killing and urged them to come forward. Thomas acknowledged some may question offering a reward to someone with a criminal history, but said: 'No one deserves to be killed in the manner in which this person has been killed, he has family. He has loved ones that deserve to know what exactly has happened.' He added that the $1m reward is 'legitimate money' that could help someone start a new life.
