Wounded gunman Anton Fortenescu today sucumbed to the serious wounds which were inflicted upon him in what police describe as a "bizarre encounter gone wrong" last Thursday.
Fortenescu, who was known to police, was for a short while the only survivor in a vicious attack in a house near Lygon St, Carlton last Thursday night. Nearby witnesses reported hearing the sound of breaking wood, which was then followed by a "roaring, screaming sound", and finally gunfire.
Along with Fortenescu was recovered the body of Mitchell Creos, also known to police, who had been "torn apart" during the encounter. Shortly after police arrived at the scene, an explosion, seemingly caused by leaking gas, destroyed the house and a considerable amount of its contents. The owners of the house, a Mr and Mrs Williams, had been in Brisbane for the week. The refused to talk to police, but their lawyer released a statement to the effect that both were `devastated'.
One witness who asked not to be identified said that the front hall of the house was "full of gore - it looked as if someone had been disembowled and spread around the room." When asked if this could have been a result of the wounds Creos suffered, they continued "No way was that only one person worth of blood."
Police official reports have put the attack down to a `demonstration killing' amongst rival mafia-like crime families, with whom both Fortenescu and Creos have been known to associate. Forensic evidence from bullets found at the scene have been linked to a weapon found nearby with Fortenescu's fingerprints upon it.
Police also released information about possible other involved persons seen leaving the scene: A young woman in a light skirt and top with short sandy hair was noticed by police leaving the area at speed shortly before the explosion that destroyed most of the forensic evidence.
Police ask that anyone who can help them with their enquiries ring the Russell St station on 9555 5555.