Prosecutors have accused two individuals of traveling across state lines to execute a planned assassination in September 2023.
Gavin Preston, a known figure in the criminal underworld, was shot multiple times at a café located in the north-western region of Melbourne, succumbing to his injuries at the scene.
Jaeden Tito and Rahbii Zahabe have entered not guilty pleas in response to charges of murder and attempted murder.
According to the prosecution, Mr. Preston was targeted in a contract killing orchestrated by the two men, who allegedly traveled from New South Wales to Melbourne specifically to carry out the act.
On September 9, 2023, he was shot seven times in front of horrified witnesses in the outdoor seating area of Sweet Lulu’s café in Keilor East. An associate, Abbas Maghnie, was also injured in the attack but managed to survive.
Crown prosecutor Kristie Churchill SC presented the case before the Supreme Court of Victoria, identifying the accused as Jaeden Tito and Rahbii Zahabe. Both defendants have maintained their innocence regarding the murder and attempted murder charges.
“We assert that this was a deliberate contract killing, meticulously planned and executed, involving unidentified accomplices,” Ms. Churchill explained to the jury. “This was a calculated attack from the criminal underworld.”
Ms. Churchill recounted how two men dressed in black ambushed Mr. Preston and Mr. Maghnie before fleeing the scene.
Prosecutors claim that Mr. Tito and Mr. Zahabe traveled from New South Wales to execute the shooting, and they subsequently entered a chauffeured vehicle to return to Sydney the same day. They allegedly used four stolen vehicles to reach the café and for their escape.
Two of these vehicles were later discovered burned, with prosecutors suggesting that Mr. Tito sustained burns to his left arm while attempting to incinerate one of the cars.
To establish a connection between the accused and the crime, the prosecution plans to utilize DNA evidence and phone records. Following the shooting, Mr. Zahabe reportedly searched for “No extradition countries” and looked up Quranic verses concerning forgiveness, while also having a screenshot of Mr. Preston on his phone.
Both men were arrested in October 2025. A third individual has been identified as the driver of one of the stolen vehicles; however, the individuals behind the alleged contract killing remain unapprehended.
During the court session, both defendants appeared in dark suits as the charges were presented to the jury. Mr. Zahabe’s attorney, Paul Smallwood, asserted that his client was not one of the shooters and emphasized the need for the jury to consider whether Mr. Maghnie was intentionally targeted or merely caught in the crossfire.
Mr. Smallwood noted that there were numerous individuals who had motives to see Mr. Preston dead. Defense attorney Daniel Sala, representing Mr. Tito, also reiterated his client’s not guilty plea and urged the jury to remain impartial until all evidence was presented.
The trial proceedings, overseen by Justice Michael O’Connell, are ongoing.
