OFF THE WIRE
Thomas Conlin, Derek Pedley
dailytelegraph.com.au
Giovanni Focarelli was found dead in this Ford Falcon sedan on Prospect Rd, Prospect. Picture: Bianca De Marchi Source: AdelaideNow
Giovanni Focarelli, right, with father Vince outside the Adelaide Magistrates Court on January 12 this year. Source: The Advertiser
Anguished friends and family at the scene of the shooting on Prospect Rd. Picture: Bianca De Marchi Source: The Advertiser
COMANCHERO bikie gang member Giovanni Focarelli has been shot dead and his father, club president Vince, has survived a fourth attempt on his life.
Police at the scene confirmed that Giovanni's body was in the back seat of a car on Prospect Rd, just outside Prospect Village Shopping Centre in Adelaide.An SA ambulance spokeswoman said that a man with multiple gunshot wounds had been taken to Royal Adelaide Hospital.
She said he was in stable condition and walking when ambulance crews arrived at the scene.
Police confirmed the man was Vince Focarelli who has been the target of previous three assassination attempts.
Ten police vehicles sealed off Prospect Rd within minutes of the first reports about 9pm.
A blue sedan with West Australian registration plates was parked on Prospect Rd outside the shopping centre and Giovanni's body was inside. The cars headlights and hazard lights were on.
A group of people who arrived at the scene at 9.35pm had to be restrained by police from entering the crime scene. One woman had to be tackled by three officers.
Minutes earlier, paramedics had gathered around the rear of the vehicle and they were believed to be checking a body for signs of life.
There were reports that an ambulance had earlier rushed a person to hospital.
Last month Giovanni was by his father's side as Vince fronted court to face charges relating to a brawl at a Plympton hotel.
Giovanni was stabbed in the stomach and chest outside his father's Hindley Street tattoo parlour Ink Central on May 22, 2010.
Vince, who survived a gunman's ambush on December 15 at Munno Para and whose alleged associates engaged in a gunfight at a North Adelaide cafe, broke his silence to counter rumours that the Comanchero Motorcycle Club is plagued by infighting.
In a statement signed by him and released by him earlier this month, he called for privacy.
"Mr Focarelli denies there is any disharmony or in-house fighting within the Comancheros Motorcycle Club," the statement said.
Minutes earlier, paramedics had gathered around the rear of the vehicle and they were believed to be checking a body for signs of life.
There were reports that an ambulance had earlier rushed a person to hospital.
Last month Giovanni was by his father's side as Vince fronted court to face charges relating to a brawl at a Plympton hotel.
Giovanni was stabbed in the stomach and chest outside his father's Hindley Street tattoo parlour Ink Central on May 22, 2010.
Vince, who survived a gunman's ambush on December 15 at Munno Para and whose alleged associates engaged in a gunfight at a North Adelaide cafe, broke his silence to counter rumours that the Comanchero Motorcycle Club is plagued by infighting.
In a statement signed by him and released by him earlier this month, he called for privacy.
"Mr Focarelli denies there is any disharmony or in-house fighting within the Comancheros Motorcycle Club," the statement said.