Security guard, 37, dies after being shot in the face as another fights for life following drive-by shooting outside a popular nightclub in inner Melbourne - as gunman in 'stolen Porsche' remains on the run

  • One man dead and another critical after shots fired outside Melbourne nightclub
  • Gunman remains on the run following the shooting outside the Love Machine
  • Police have urged people urged to avoid the area in Malvern Road in Prahran
  • Do you know more? Email tips@dailymail.com 

By Kylie Stevens For Daily Mail Australia

Published: | Updated:

A security guard who was shot in the face during a drive-by shooting outside a popular Melbourne nightclub has died in hospital.

The man, 37, was taken to hospital after being shot outside the Love Machine Nightclub near Little Chapel Street in Prahran at around 3.20am on Sunday.

Three other men, two guards and a patron lining up to get into the nightclub, were also shot and taken to Royal Alfred Hospital for treatment.   

The gunman was driving a stolen black Porsche Cayenne four-wheel-drive.  

The luxury car was found burnt out in Wollert in the city's north on Sunday morning, The Age reported.

Forensic police were at the scene outside Love Machine on Sunday morning

Forensic police were at the scene outside popular nightclub Love Machine on Sunday morning

The footpath was splattered with blood for more than 100 metres as one of the men shot in the arm ran from the scene to get help

The footpath was splattered with blood for more than 100 metres as one of the men shot in the arm ran from the scene to get help

Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper said three of the people struck by bullets worked at the nightclub, while the fourth was an 'innocent' patron waiting to get inside. 

'Those gunshot wounds were from a fairly close proximity... so, you know... horrific injuries,' he said. 

'It would appear that shots have been discharged from a car in this area into a crowd that was standing outside the nightclub.

'This is just a horrendous act. It's a busy nightclub, one of the main nightclubs in Melbourne in one of the main entertainment precincts in Melbourne.'

Police are expected to investigate links to an outlaw bikie gang which has made extortion attempts on the nightclub, The Age reported.

The nightclub was still packed with patrons at the time of the shooting, who left the venue via a back entrance after police deemed the area safe.

A security guard at the nightclub told Seven's Sunday Sunrise he had no idea there had been a shooting outside and there was no panic inside the venue.

Sunrise also reported a person shot in the arm ran up Chapel Street to get help at a nearby business. 

Blood could be seen on the footpath for more than 100 metres from the scene. 

Clothes and bullet casings are also scattered along the footpath outside the nightclub.

Mr Arow was outside the Love Machine nightclub (crime scene pictured) in Prahran about 3.10am on Sunday when four shots were fired from a stolen Porsche

The scene outside the Love Machine nightclub in Prahran after the deadly shooting

Clothing and bullet casings remained scattered along the footpath

Clothing and bullet casings remained scattered along the footpath

Local resident Edie said the shooting was rare for the neighbourhood. 

'There is a bit of trouble around here, but it's usually fighting and stabbings,' she told the Herald Sun.

'It's scary because it's right on your doorstep - it could have happened to one of us.'

The venue's Facebook page had promised a night of old school grooves on Saturday night.

The Love Machine is one of Melbourne's most popular nightclubs and was recently refurbished by new owners. 

As daylight broke, forensic police spent several hours photographing evidence at the scene

As daylight broke, forensic police spent several hours photographing evidence at the scene

There was a heavy presence of police in Prahran on Sunday as they investigated the shooting

There was a heavy presence of police in Prahran on Sunday as they investigated the shooting

Police said an investigation is underway and the exact circumstances are still being established.

Police are also reviewing CCTV footage from the vicinity. 

People are urged to avoid the area with Malvern Road closed in both directions between Chapel Street and Surrey Road.   

Anyone with information or footage of the incident should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

The Love Machine (pictured) was still packed with nightclub patrons at the time of the shooting

The Love Machine was still packed with nightclub patrons at the time of the shooting

One man is dead and another is fighting for life following Sunday morning's drive-by shooting

One man is dead and another is fighting for life following Sunday morning's drive-by shooting

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