A cyclist has recounted how he played dead after being repeatedly shot in the head and chest in a random attack in regional Victoria which has sparked a $500,000 reward for information.
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Kelvin Tennant, 72, was riding his motorised bicycle on the Myrtleford-Everton Rail Trail in the state's north about midday on February 18, 2017, when he was shot multiple times by a man who got out of a parked car.
"I remember lying on the track and thinking 'if I play dead maybe that's the best way for him to get moving'," Mr Tennant told reporters on Wednesday when police announced the half-million dollar reward for information to find the gunman.
The car is described only as dark-coloured and maybe a Commodore or Camry sedan which had its boot open at the time.
"He fired three shots in very quick succession. One hit me in the head, just near my ear."
The second and third shots hit Mr Tennant in the chest and face and his injuries have required numerous surgeries and caused ongoing pain and side effects.
"I do remember saying to him 'why are you doing this to me?' I started to lose consciousness and crashed to the ground.
"He obviously had no regard for my life, he wanted to kill me. You don't fire multiple bullets into people unless you're going to kill them and I've thought since then: why didn't he walk over to me on the ground and put the gun to my head and finish the job?"
Mr Tennant didn't get a good look at his attacker, but said he was hit by .22 calibre bullets fired from a pistol.
"To this date we still have not identified a motive for this crime," Detective Inspector Dean Thomas said.
He hoped the financial reward would prove an incentive for witnesses to come forward with information.
Australian Associated Press
