ReportTwo Gunmen Get 34 Years for Cafe Execution — Who Paid Is Still UnknownAired September 9, 2026 at 9:24 AM UTCWritten September 9, 2026 at 9:26 AM UTCRead the write-upThis storyTranscript · LOADING0:00Two gunmen who executed a Melbourne gangland figure outside a cafe now each serve 340:04years.0:05The man who allegedly paid for the hit is still walking free.0:08The court heard the killing was a contract job, yet no one has been charged with0:12ordering it, so who ordered the execution and will police ever find the mastermind?0:16The attack on September 9th, 2023 lasted about 10 seconds.0:21Two masked men in black jumped from a stolen car and fired 11 shots.0:26Preston, a 50-year-old described as one of Melbourne's most violent gangland0:30figures, was hit seven times and died at the scene.0:32His associate, Abbas Magni, was shot in the stomach and survived after multiple0:36operations.0:37The cafe manager later testified that Preston never sat outside until the day he was0:41shot.0:42Both men were sentenced to 34 years.0:44Prosecutors had sought life sentences, but Justice O'Connell cited their youth both0:49were 22 at the time of the offense, their lack of prior violent convictions, and the0:53harsh conditions of custody.0:55Still, the term sits above the standard sentence because of the gravity, the0:58planning, and the financial motive.1:00Tito will be eligible for parole after 26 years with more than a thousand days1:05already served counted.1:06Zahabe's non-parole period is 27 years, with 808 days declared.1:12He also noted the danger to bystanders and said Preston's own criminal history did1:16not diminish the law's protection of his life.1:18The killing was planned over hours, not minutes.1:21The pair had traveled up from New South Wales, used pre-positioned getaway cars with1:26cloned plates and tinted windows, and even had a chauffeur booked for the return1:30trip.1:30One of them set himself on fire while torching a car, but DNA on clothing, a fuel1:35can, and car handles, plus digital traces, linked them to the scene.1:39Victoria Police has confirmed the investigation into who organized the hit is1:43continuing.1:44The two men convicted have not named anyone.1:46The theories aired at trial included a $5 million contract, but none has been1:50substantiated.1:50So the question stands: who ordered the execution?1:53Police have not named a suspect, and the two men who pulled the triggers have stayed1:57silent.1:58The case against them is closed.2:00The inquiry into the person whose plan set it in motion is not.Explore with HeyDexFollow via RSSThe shortThe short ↗