Melbourne's notorious gangland figure, Sam 'The Punisher' Abdulrahim, was shot dead on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, during a brazen daylight execution outside the Quest Hotel on High Street, Preston. The shooting occurred around 10:00 AM, marking the end of decades of evading death threats and multiple assassination attempts against him.
Witnesses reported seeing Abdulrahim, 34, gunned down as he sat inside his car. Emergency services rushed to the scene, but he was pronounced dead shortly after. Victoria Police have described the incident as targeted, stating, 'Emergency services were called to reports of a man shot in the parking lot. The man, who is yet to be formally identified, died at the scene.'
The execution of Abdulrahim, who had previously survived at least three murder contracts, is the culmination of years steeped in violence and chaos within Melbourne’s criminal underbelly. Before his demise, he had been living under near-constant threat, previously surviving shootings and fire bombings aimed at him and his associates.
Abdulrahim was deeply entrenched in the world of organized crime, having connections to the Mongols, the Comancheros, and multiple Middle-Eastern crime figures. Significant rivalries included enmities with crime bosses Kazem Hamad and Ahmed Al Hamza, which reportedly intensified following previous high-profile incidents involving Abdulrahim. Last year, Abdulrahim reportedly fell victim to gang violence when his family home was targeted and shot up, forcing him to go underground.
Notably, he survived being shot eight times when he was ambushed at his cousin’s funeral—an audacious assassination attempt orchestrated by rival gangs. The incident, which took place outside the Fawkner Cemetery in June 2022, exemplified the relentless nature of gangland rivalries. Police believe Abdulrahim's continued survival fueled heightened tensions, leading to his eventual marked status.
Adding layers of complexity to Abdulrahim’s tumultuous life, he previously gained public attention through his brief relationship with television reality star Jessika Power. This connection only seemed to thrust him more prominently within the public eye, complicate matters with his enemies, and augment the myriad challenges he faced.
Just days before his demise, law enforcement had warned Abdulrahim of specific threats to his life, reaching out to inform him of the risks he faced. A source disclosed to the media, 'Police played close attention to Abdulrahim's movements before he was murdered. There were days when they rushed to his door to warn him.' This indicates how grave the threats had become against the criminal figure.
The police response at the scene was swift yet heavy, as the Homicide Squad was immediately dispatched to investigate the shooting. Detectives cordoned off the surrounding area, collecting evidence to piece together the exact circumstances leading to Abdulrahim's execution. Friends and associates of the deceased gathered behind police barriers, with emotions visibly swirling amid the chaos.
This shocking murder not only highlights the brutal nature of Melbourne’s gang culture but also raises questions about the persistent violence tied to gang affiliations. The ripple effect of Abdulrahim’s execution will likely extend beyond his own criminal activities, as associates and family members face backlash from rival gangs, previously noted with their own violent incidents targeting Abdulrahim's indicators.
Historically, the region has been no stranger to turmoil among its criminal factions. Abdulrahim's long history with gang violence ranges from surviving multiple attempts on his life to orchestrated schemes involving high-profile figures embedded within the underworld. Authorities are tightly laced within the grip of these events as they seek to dismantle the organized violence challenging law enforcement.
The eventual police investigation will pivot around how such open executions could signify broader trends of intimidation tactics employed by rival gangs, with reports indicating gangs are actively engaging potential victims even amid heightened law enforcement responses.
Already, discussions within the public sphere are curving toward the likelihood of retaliation and the potential escalation of violence arising from Abdulrahim's death. Friends of Abdulrahim, now caught up within the crossfire of violence, will increasingly find themselves entangled, raising safety concerns among local residents.
While authorities continue to unravel the threads of this criminal case, eying the complex relationships within gang dynamics, Abdulrahim's story stands as yet another somber chapter within Melbourne's gangland saga. Those with insights or potential CCTV footage of the shooting are urged to report details to Crime Stoppers.