A man shot in the groin by a balaclava-clad gunman at Campbellfield shopping plaza on Tuesday was a member of a north-west crime family.
It is understood Omar Tiba, 27, from Coolaroo, had part of his penis shot off when an unknown gunman got out of the car and started firing.
He remains in a stable condition in the Royal Melbourne.
Several members of the Tiba family have been convicted of serious violent offences - including Bassam Tiba for the manslaughter of Richard Haddara - and drug crime.
A wave of violence was allegedly connected to a family feud between the Tiba, Haddara and Chaouk families several years ago.
Armed crime detectives are still investigating the motive behind Tuesday night's shooting. The gunman and up to three associates are still at large.
Up to four men in a white or cream car drove up to the victim in the Campbellfield Plaza car park about 9.30pm on Tuesday before one got out and started firing, Detective Inspector Steve Clark said.
A shopping centre security guard heard gun shots, ran outside and found the man lying on the ground with at least three gunshot wounds to his leg and groin, Channel Nine reported.
"He heard some shooting, he ran down to see what it was, and he saw a man on the ground, bleeding," the security guard's colleague, Thomas Yoannis, said.
"I think it was his wife or his partner, holding him. She was holding his head and crying, and just asking for help."
Witnesses said there were adults and children in the car park at the time of the shooting.
Shoppers ran to their cars to get away from the scene.
"I was sitting in my car when I heard two bangs. I was quite scared. Everyone was running," a witness told ABC News.
Police are investigating whether a white 4WD found burnt-out on Bickley Avenue in nearby Thomastown just after midnight is the same car they used in the shooting.
Police don't believe there's a connection to the fatal shooting of a 24-year-old man at the opposite end of the car park four months ago.
Anyone who may have information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.