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AAP
AAP
National
Karen Sweeney

Mongol bikie ambushed, shot by Finks, jurors told

Rocco Curra was targeted because he was a member of the Mongols motorcycle club, a prosecutor says. (PR HANDOUT IMAGE PHOTO) (AAP)

A Mongols bikie shot in the head and neck was allegedly targeted only because of his association with the outlaw bikie gang.

The Victorian Supreme Court trial has begun for two men charged with the attempted murder of Rocco Curra, which prosecutors allege stemmed from an incident at a shopping centre pub where a Mongols associate had his jumper taken from him.

Sione Hokafonu and Poiva Sita have each pleaded not guilty.

Jurors were played video footage from a Bulleen street on August 1, 2019 showing two men jump out of a stolen BMW and immediately firing shots at a parked car, where Mr Curra was behind the wheel.

Eleven or 12 shots were fired at the car, each aimed at Mr Curra's head and chest, prosecutor Neill Hutton said on Wednesday.

He was struck in the head, neck and chest but survived the shooting after 24 days in hospital, during which he underwent multiple surgeries and other medical interventions.

It's alleged Hokafonu was the shooter who jumped from the front passenger seat of the vehicle, while Sita is alleged to have been behind the wheel.

Another man, Tavita Sua, is alleged to have been the second shooter and his case is being heard separately, jurors were told.

After the shooting the stolen BMW was driven into a neighbouring street and set on fire before the accused men allegedly got into a second vehicle which was allegedly driven by Joseph Opapo.

Opapo is also standing trial, charged with intentionally causing serious injury in circumstances of gross violence. He has pleaded not guilty.

Mr Hutton said the shooting is alleged to have stemmed from an incident at the Sporting Globe pub at Fountain Gate Shopping Centre when members of the Finks motorcycle gang, including Hokafonu, confronted a Mongols associate about his behaviour during the televised State of Origin rugby league match.

The associate was wearing a jumper with the letters SYLM on the front, alleged to stand for Support Your Local Mongols.

That man threw a salt shaker at a television, prompting some pushing and shoving between him and the Finks members that spilled outside.

Finks members returned inside with the SYLM jumper, which Mr Hutton suggested was a "trophy".

Hours later Hokafonu went to Casey Hospital with a bullet wound to his foot.

He allegedly told a witness he had been shot 11 times at a set of traffic lights. Mr Hutton said the shooting was discussed at the Finks clubhouse over later days and it was openly discussed that Hokafonu had been shot by a member of the Mongols.

Mr Curra was only targeted by the Finks because he was a member of the Mongols motorcycle club, Mr Hutton said.

"He was randomly set up by someone who knew him and knew he was a member of the Mongols because they had seen him wearing a Mongols jumper," he said.

Mr Hutton said it was alleged from the ambush tactics used by the accused men - the surprise nature of the attack, the tactical blocking of Mr Curra's car and shots being fired at his "death zone" - the only inference that can be drawn is that the intention was to murder him.

The prosecution opening of the case is expected to continue on Thursday.

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