Father Convicted of Murder in Melbourne Shooting Stemming From Son’s Stolen Wallet
Melbourne, Australia - A Melbourne father has been found guilty of murder after fatally shooting a man he and his son had tracked down over a stolen wallet. Luke James Picking, 42, was convicted by a Victorian Supreme Court jury on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, for the murder of Abdurhman Jemal, 33, which occurred in Glenroy, Melbourne’s north, in March 2024.
The court heard the incident began after Brodi Picking,19,accused Jemal of stealing his wallet in early March. Following a heated argument in a Bunnings car park on March 28, Brodi allegedly threatened to kill Jemal, telling a friend he was “going to f—ing kill the c—“.
On the day of the shooting,Luke and Brodi Picking drove past locations connected to Jemal,including his mother’s home,before locating him driving a red Hyundai. They followed Jemal until he stopped, and a confrontation ensued. CCTV footage presented to the jury showed a verbal altercation before Luke picking fired a shotgun at Jemal.
According to testimony, Luke Picking yelled “you want a f—ing air raid” to Jemal before shooting him. Jemal died at the scene from multiple shotgun pellet wounds to the face and neck.
While Luke Picking admitted to firing the weapon, he claimed it was accidental, a claim the jury rejected. Brodi Picking was acquitted of murder but found guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter.
Following the killing, prosecutors alleged luke picking contacted his friend Ian Harris, 49, to dispose of the firearm. Harris was found not guilty of assisting an offender.
Both Luke and Brodi Picking have been remanded in custody and await a pre-sentence hearing.
