Accused drug dealer Willie Thompson’s execution-style death in 2003 was described as a pivotal turning point in Melbourne’s gangland wars, but the murder remains unsolved.
In an effort to bring the violent killers to justice, the anti-gangland Purana taskforce will post a $1 million reward on Sunday for any information leading to a conviction.
Reports suggest Mr Thompson was killed on the orders of condemned murderer and drug trafficker Carl Williams, The Herald Sun reports.
A $1million dollar reward is being offered to find the hitmen behind a gangland execution 15 years ago (Willie Thompson pictured)
But with Williams’ own death in 2010 making it impossible to question the gang leader, detectives are instead turning to the public for help.
Namely, an anonymous caller from 2004 who had important information surrounding the killing.
Mr Thompson, 39, was gunned down on Waverley Road, Chadstone, in Melbourne’s south-east, after leaving a training session at a martial arts club.
It’s believed there were at least two people involved in the purposeful slaying that fateful Monday night: one using a shotgun from Mr Thompson’s side of the car and the other firing a pistol through the passenger window.
Mr Thompson, 39, was gunned down on Waverley Road, Chadstone, in Melbourne’s south-east, after leaving a training session at a martial arts club (allegedly at the order of Carl Williams)
Thompson’s murder led to the revenge killing of hot dog salesman Michael Marshall, and ultimately, the fall of Carl Williams.
‘While lots of people are familiar with other crime figures from the gangland period, not many know anything about Willie Thompson’s story,’ said Detective Inspector Tracie McDonald of the taskforce.
‘The circumstances surrounding his death are shocking. He was shot in a very public area and died a brutal death.
‘We’re confident this murder is solvable. All we need is the right information from the right people.’
Carl Williams (pictured) was believed to have paid one of his lieutenants $100,000 to carry out five of the murders
Mr Williams was killed by a fellow inmate while serving time in prison (pictured)
Over a period of 12 years, 36 crime figures were slain in revenge attacks by members of two crime families or their associates and members of the local Calabrian mafia, known in Australia as N’Drangheta.
Carl Williams was believed to have paid one of his lieutenants $100,000 to carry out five of the murders.
In one of the gangland war’s most intensive periods, 13 men were shot dead in just over two years. Four members of one family, the infamous Morans, were gunned down.