Two suspected gunmen are facing trial for the murder of Melbourne underworld figure Gavin Preston, who was shot dead at a cafe on September 9, 2023. Prosecutors allege that 25-year-old Jaeden Tito and 26-year-old Rabii Zahabe carried out a planned assassination while Preston was enjoying breakfast with Abbas Maghnie.
Tito and Zahabe each face charges of murder and attempted murder, with both men pleading not guilty to the accusations, insisting they were not the shooters. The prosecution describes the incident as a contract killing, stating that the defendants were part of a coordinated attack that involved others in planning the hit, although the identity of the orchestrators remains unknown.
On the day of the shooting, Preston and Maghnie were seated outside Sweet Lulus cafe in Keilor, surrounded by patrons enjoying a sunny Saturday morning. Prosecutor Christie Churchill presented chilling footage to the jury, inciting panic as the gunmen opened fire. Tito and Zahabe allegedly waited in a parked Audi Q5 for nearly three hours before launching the attack, where Tito reportedly fired seven shots at Preston while Zahabe targeted Maghnie.
Witnesses described the chaos as customers scattered due to the gunfire. Churchill claimed Tito shot Preston, who fell forward and was declared dead at the scene, while Maghnie was wounded but managed to survive after hospital treatment. Following the shooting, the two men allegedly fled the scene, returned to the Audi, and set it ablaze before discarding a second vehicle. They then used a pre-arranged chauffeur service to escape Victoria.
The prosecution suggests that Zahabe searched for “no extradition countries” after returning home, whereas Tito reportedly sustained injuries to his left arm, which was later observed in social media photos. DNA evidence connecting the two suspects to the vehicles and items found in them is expected to be presented during the trial.
Zahabe’s lawyer requested the jury consider the attempted murder charge separately from the murder charge, while Tito’s barrister urged jurors to maintain an open mind as they process the evidence. The trial is set to continue.