MELBOURNE — Residents across Melbourne's north-west are on edge after a disturbing night of gunfire saw two homes targeted in separate drive-by shootings, with one Kealba property experiencing its second attack in just six days.

Local authorities have launched an urgent investigation into the incidents, which occurred overnight on Tuesday, July 14, and early Wednesday, July 15. Detectives are working to determine if there are connections between the recent spate of violent acts.

The most alarming incident took place on Rowan Drive in Kealba, where a house was reportedly sprayed with bullets at approximately 5:15 AM on Wednesday. Thankfully, no occupants were inside the residence at the time of the latest attack. This morning's shooting follows a terrifying event last Thursday, July 9, when the same home was targeted. During that earlier assault, an offender fired around four shots through the glass front door while five people were inside, before fleeing in a white SUV at about 1:00 AM. Miraculously, no injuries were reported from the initial shooting.

The violence connected to the Kealba property extended beyond just gunfire. A car parked outside the Rowan Drive address was also set alight on the night of July 9. Furthermore, vehicles parked outside two other homes in nearby Keilor Downs and Taylors Lakes were also destroyed by fire on the same evening, raising suspicions of coordinated criminal activity.

Hours before the second Kealba shooting, another residential property became the target of a drive-by attack in Gladstone Park. Just before 11:15 PM on Tuesday, July 14, a shooter opened fire on a single-storey brick home on Payne Street, discharging several rounds before speeding away in a vehicle. As with the Kealba incident, no one was present inside the Gladstone Park home during the shooting.

Forensic specialists and detectives were observed meticulously combing Payne Street for evidence on Wednesday morning. Several spent bullet casings were discovered on the ground outside the property, which remained cordoned off with police tape. Investigators were seen photographing the scene and searching through shrubbery in their quest for clues.

The escalating violence has left the local community deeply shaken. Arron John, a long-time resident, expressed his profound concern, stating that neighbours were incredibly fortunate not to have been caught in the crossfire. "There could've been someone who could have gotten hurt because of this," he commented, adding, "There's definitely something going on here that we don't know about."

Mr. John recounted how his mother had been awakened by the sound of gunfire. "She's been really concerned and a bit scared, I guess, because of what has happened," he shared. He also recalled that a car parked at the Payne Street address in Gladstone Park had reportedly been the target of a firebombing incident several days prior to the shooting, with charred debris still visible in the driveway on Wednesday. This detail adds another layer to the complex investigation into the recent wave of incidents plaguing the north-western suburbs.