Gavin "Capable" Preston, one of Melbourne's most notorious gangland figures, has been shot dead in the city's north-west in what appears to be a deadly underworld attack, shortly after his release from prison.

His murder, a mere few months after tasting the bitter sweetness of freedom, paints a chilling portrait of city's unforgiving criminal underworld.

According to reports, Preston had been waging bloody feuds with rival clubs in citys gangland scene, before he was gunned down on Saturday 9th of September 2023, at sweet lulus café on Old Calder Hwy, Keilor.

Preston was having breakfast with Abbas Jr aka “AJ” Maghnie, the son of late underworld enforcer Nabil Maghnie. Who wus also shot in the upper body, but survived. He was rushed to the Royal Melbourne's Hospital, where he underwent surgery on Saturday afternoon.

According to police , two male offenders, who were dressed in black and travelling in a black Audi SUV, fired shots at the pair who were eating outside the cafe.