One of two men charged with murder after a shooting at a Melbourne boxing event allegedly texted the other to ask him to come along and “bring my little friend” just 90 minutes before.
Abdullah El Nasher and Osamma Allouche have both pleaded not guilty to the murder of Benjamin Togiai on March 1, 2019, and are standing trial in Victoria’s Supreme Court.
El Nasher, his two older brothers and other friends got tickets to the Big Time Boxing event that night and arrived about 8pm.
Others at the venue say there was tension between the men, seated at table 28, and another group seated at table 64 – including Togiai and Omar Bchinnati, who they’re accused of attempting to murder.
After El Nasher entered the venue he left again, carrying a black satchel, and headed back to his car. It’s alleged he went back to his car and armed himself.
CCTV footage shows El Nasher placing something in front of the bag as he approached the front of Melbourne Pavilion, where the event was being held, prosecutor Sarah Thomas told jurors on Wednesday.
A witness told police that when he returned inside he appeared to clutch the bag in front of his stomach as if he was guarding something, he said.
Prosecutors allege El Nasher turned his phone off or put it in airplane mode, and then used another phone or had someone else text Allouche on his behalf.
“Melbourne Pavilion. 28. Bring my little friend with you and come,” Thomas said, reading from messages sent at 8.36pm.
There was a call between the two numbers and Allouche allegedly replied “I’m on my way”.
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Jurors have heard CCTV footage shows El Nasher outside when Allouche arrived, and the two men go in and out a few times before El Nasher crosses the road outside.
Just before 10pm the groups at table 28 and 64 were kicked out by event organisers, only referred to as Mr Gatto and Mr Haddara.
“The prosecution alleges those two men (El Nasher and Allouche) had an agreement, arrangement or understanding that they would shoot a person or persons from table 64 with an intention to cause death or really serious injury,” she said.
Once outside, it’s alleged El Nasher ran across the road armed with a black pistol or short firearm and fired seven shots at the men from table 28.
Togiai was hit once in the chest with a bullet and died at the scene. Bchinnati was shot once in the thigh and required emergency surgery.
Dashcam footage from a passing motorist was played to jurors and included audio of two shots followed by a pause and a volley of more shots.
The incident lasted about 20 seconds in total, Thomas said.
Her opening remarks to jurors are continuing. El Nasher and Allouche’s barristers will then open their case.
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