Albion co-owner shot at in home invasion as Melbourne bar wars escalate

The co-owner of a popular pub embroiled in Melbourne’s bar wars was shot at during a home invasion on Saturday morning, the latest in an escalating series of attacks plaguing the hospitality industry.

Two men stormed into the Pakenham home of Dominic Porter, who co-owns The Albion in South Melbourne, according to police and industry sources speaking on condition of anonymity. Porter’s children were present at the time, and neighbours said they heard two shots fired.

Two hospitality venues were also targeted overnight, following on from a string of violent incidents, including firebombings and shootings, targeting bars and pubs across Melbourne.

The Albion was attacked by arsonists last month. Earlier this week, detectives revealed they believed six attacks carried out over five days – including two attempted kidnappings and several aggravated home invasions – were aimed at nightclub promoters running the popular Alumbra event on Saturday nights at the South Melbourne venue.

In one incident, a Malvern man was mistakenly kidnapped and assaulted, in what detectives believe was a botched attempt to attack a prominent promoter.

The latest incident unfolded just before 6am on Saturday. Other residents in the Pakenham street, speaking anonymously, said they heard a vehicle ramming a steel gate outside Porter’s house. Two vehicles were later seen speeding off.

“A firearm was discharged by one of the offenders during the incident before the pair fled the scene,” a police spokeswoman said. “The resident, along with several other people home at the time, weren’t injured.”

Porter has had private security at his home in recent weeks, but not since last Monday, according to neighbours.

“Detectives from Operation Eclipse will also review the matter to determine if it is linked to the current series of incidents targeting licensed premises across inner metropolitan Melbourne,” the police spokeswoman said.

Operation Eclipse is a specialist taskforce designed to hunt down those behind Melbourne’s spate of firebombings.

In a separate incident, a Molotov cocktail was thrown at the George Hotel on Cecil Street, South Melbourne, about 2.30am on Saturday.

A small fire was extinguished, causing minimal damage, police said. The pub was closed at the time and no one was injured. A group of offenders fled the scene in a vehicle and remain at large.

Police are also investigating an incident in Docklands overnight, in which a glass door was smashed at Lebanese restaurant Almina about 3.45am. Accelerant was poured inside the venue before it was set alight, causing minor damage.

Three suspects were arrested after they were intercepted by officers patrolling the area, police said.

Two males were allegedly hiding under the Bolte Bridge in Ron Barassi Snr Park, and a third was located in a vehicle on Docklands Drive. A 19-year-old Collingwood man, a 22-year-old Fitzroy North man and a 16-year-old from the Glen Eira area were being interviewed by investigators.

The restaurant was firebombed in December 2023, when three people smashed its windows and used an accelerant to set it alight. The trio fled in a vehicle.

At least 25 attacks on Melbourne hospitality venues have been reported since the crime spree began in February, according to police sources and sources in the hospitality and nightlife industries.

The list of targeted venues includes Albion Hotel, The Emerson, Left Bank, Bar Bambi and France-Soir restaurant.

Police confirmed that at least 16 firebombings, drive-by shootings or attempted attacks on licensed venues were related, as well as two abductions connected to the industry.

Federal and state police are investigating whether the violence is linked to the trade in tax-free alcohol.

Law enforcement sources unable to speak publicly said they were probing whether some new opaque entrants to the distilling industry are exploiting a $180 million-a-year tax break meant to encourage craft spirit makers, but which critics say is distorting the market with excise-free liquor.

Be the first to know when major news happens. Sign up for breaking news alerts on email or turn on notifications in the app.