The world president of the Finks outlaw motorcycle gang has been shot in Melbourne, after a simple trip to a Narre Warren pub to watch the State of Origin ended in gunfire.
Sydney man Sione Hokafonu — described as the outlaw motorcycle club’s world president — was shot after leaving a southeast suburban pub. According to information the 26-year-old had been at the Fountain Gate Hotel in Narre Warren where he and comrades watched the State of Origin rugby league decider between Queensland and New South Wales on Wednesday night.
Mr Hokafonu was shot in the leg nearby and later hotfooted it to Casey Hospital in Berwick for treatment of the wound. It is believed police were called to the hospital because of the nature of the injuries.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman said Mr Hokafonu had been unable to help detectives with their inquiries. “The exact circumstances of the incident are still being determined with the victim not forthcoming with information,” the spokeswoman said.
It is not known why Mr Hokafonu was in Melbourne or the motivation for the shooting.
Detectives from the specialist anti-bikie Echo taskforce are believed to have been have been alerted to the incident. The Finks have in recent years reasserted themselves in Melbourne where they have been under regular scrutiny from police, including Echo.
They first arrived in the state in 2009 and were later the subject of a partial takeover by the Mongols outfit. There has been some volatility in recent times with the Frankston home of senior figure Brent James Reker attacked last year.
His car was torched as a gunman opened fire on the Carramar Drive property. Members allegedly last year stormed a home in the southeastern suburbs while wearing their club colours. There have been previous allegations members were involved in the firebombings of businesses.