Gavin “Capable” Preston was an Australian underworld figure from Melbourne who became notorious for his long criminal history, violent associations and involvement in some of the city’s most notorious gangland conflicts. Born in 1973 and raised in Melbourne’s western suburbs after spending his early years on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, Preston became involved in serious offending from a young age and eventually spent many years in prison. He was 50 years old when he was murdered in a targeted shooting outside a café in Melbourne in September 2023.
Preston’s criminal career stretched across more than three decades and included convictions for offences such as armed robbery and violence against police. He was also convicted over the 2012 shooting death of Melbourne drug dealer Adam Khoury, with the court ultimately accepting that Preston believed his life was in danger and sentencing him for defensive homicide. His name subsequently became associated with a wide network of Melbourne underworld figures and rivalries.
His death became one of Melbourne’s most closely watched gangland cases because of the circumstances surrounding it. On September 9, 2023, Preston was sitting outside Sweet Lulu’s café in Keilor with Abbas “AJ” Maghnie when two masked gunmen approached and opened fire. Preston was shot seven times and died at the scene, while Maghnie was wounded but survived. In September 2026, Jaeden Tito and Rabii Zahabe were sentenced to 34 years each for the murder, although the person or people who ordered the killing remain unidentified.
Gavin Preston Profile Summary
| Profile | Details |
| Full Name | Gavin Preston |
| Nickname | “Capable” Preston |
| Born | 1973 |
| Birthplace | Queensland, Australia |
| Raised In | Melbourne, Victoria |
| Age at Death | 50 |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Profession | Underworld figure |
| Known For | Melbourne organised crime and gangland associations |
| Criminal Record | Multiple convictions dating back to his youth |
| Major Conviction | Defensive homicide over the 2012 death of Adam Khoury |
| Prison History | Served lengthy periods in Victorian prisons |
| Death | September 9, 2023 |
| Place of Death | Keilor, Melbourne, Victoria |
| Cause of Death | Multiple gunshot wounds |
| Murder Case | Jaeden Tito and Rabii Zahabe convicted |
| Sentence of Killers | 34 years each |
| Parole Eligibility | Tito after 26 years; Zahabe after 27 years |
| Marital Status | Not reliably documented |
| Children | Not reliably documented |
| Religion | Not publicly documented |
| Height | Not reliably documented |
| Net Worth | Not publicly verified |
Gavin Preston Early Life
Gavin Preston was born in Queensland in 1973 and later grew up in Melbourne’s western suburbs. Public reporting provides relatively little information about his parents, siblings or childhood home life, but his upbringing eventually brought him into the social environment of Melbourne’s western suburbs, an area that would later become closely associated with his criminal activities and underworld connections.
Preston began accumulating a criminal record while still very young. By the time he was 18, he had already been convicted of serious offences, including assault and armed robbery. His offending continued through adulthood and included violence, property offences and other criminal activity. His repeated encounters with police and the courts eventually resulted in lengthy periods of imprisonment.
His reputation grew as he became increasingly connected to Melbourne’s criminal underworld. Preston was regarded by police and journalists as a violent and experienced figure who had relationships and conflicts with numerous people involved in organised crime. His nickname, “Capable,” became strongly associated with his identity in Melbourne’s underworld and in subsequent media reporting.
Gavin Preston Education
There is very little reliable public information about Gavin Preston’s formal education. Unlike his criminal history, which was documented through court proceedings and police investigations, details about the schools he attended have not been extensively reported by authoritative sources.
Some secondary accounts state that Preston attended local schools in Melbourne’s western suburbs, but specific school names have not been sufficiently verified. It would therefore be misleading to present a particular school or qualification as established fact.
His life followed a very different path from conventional professional or academic careers. His criminal involvement began during his teenage years and early adulthood, eventually becoming the dominant feature of his public identity. Consequently, his education has received considerably less attention than his criminal record and his connections within Melbourne’s underworld.
Gavin Preston Career
Gavin Preston and Melbourne’s Underworld
Gavin Preston spent much of his adult life within Melbourne’s criminal underworld. He was described in court and media reports as a hardened criminal with a long history of violent offending. His associations extended across different sections of Melbourne’s organised-crime scene, including people connected to bikie gangs, drug trafficking and other illicit activities.
Police intelligence and court evidence placed Preston in contact with several prominent Melbourne crime figures. He was not simply known for one isolated offence. Instead, his reputation developed over decades through repeated criminal convictions, violent confrontations and disputes with other underworld personalities.
His nickname, “Capable,” became an important part of his public identity. Reports frequently referred to him as Gavin “Capable” Preston, reflecting the reputation he had developed in criminal circles.
Gavin Preston and the 2011 Toby Mitchell Shooting
One of the incidents associated with Preston’s criminal history was the 2011 shooting of Toby Mitchell, a prominent figure associated with the Bandidos motorcycle gang. Preston’s name appeared in reporting and court material surrounding the shooting, further establishing his reputation within Melbourne’s violent underworld.
The incident was part of a period in which Melbourne was experiencing intense conflict involving gangland figures, outlaw motorcycle groups and criminal networks. Preston’s relationships and disputes during this period contributed to the number of enemies and rivals he was believed to have accumulated.
Gavin Preston and Adam Khoury
One of the most important episodes in Preston’s criminal history occurred in 2012, when he shot and killed Adam Khoury, a Melbourne drug dealer. Preston maintained that Khoury had threatened him and drawn a firearm during their confrontation.
The court ultimately accepted that Preston had believed his life was in danger, but he was convicted of defensive homicide. He received an 11-year prison sentence and spent more than a decade behind bars. The case became one of the defining events in his criminal history and remained an important part of his reputation when he later returned to Melbourne’s streets.
Gavin Preston’s Release From Prison
After spending more than a decade in custody, Preston was released from prison in 2023. His release was significant because he returned to Melbourne’s underworld environment after years behind bars, at a time when tensions between rival criminal networks remained high.
Preston had been released only months before his death. His return to the community did not result in a long period of freedom. On September 9, 2023, he was ambushed while having breakfast at Sweet Lulu’s café in Keilor.
Gavin Preston’s Enemies and Underworld Conflicts
Preston was reported to have had numerous enemies within Melbourne’s criminal world. His history of violent confrontations and disputes meant that investigators had to consider multiple possible motives after his murder. Contemporary reporting identified a range of people with whom he had conflicts, although not every reported rivalry was connected to his killing.
The number of potential enemies became particularly important during the investigation because authorities believed the shooting was a targeted underworld assassination. Court proceedings later described the murder as a planned contract killing, but the ultimate person who commissioned the attack has not been established publicly.
Gavin Preston Death: How Did Gavin Preston Die?
Gavin Preston was killed on September 9, 2023, outside Sweet Lulu’s café in Keilor Village, Melbourne. He was sitting outside with Abbas “AJ” Maghnie when two men dressed in black emerged from a vehicle and opened fire. Police immediately treated the incident as a targeted attack linked to organised crime.
The shooting was extremely quick. Court evidence later established that the gunmen fired multiple rounds during an attack lasting roughly 10 seconds. Preston was hit seven times and died at the scene. Maghnie was also shot but survived, with one of the attacker’s firearms reportedly jamming during the assault.
The killers escaped in a stolen Audi that was later abandoned. Investigators subsequently connected Jaeden Tito and Rabii Zahabe to the murder through evidence including CCTV and DNA. In May 2026, a Victorian Supreme Court jury found both men guilty of murdering Preston and attempting to murder Maghnie.
Gavin Preston Murder Trial and Killers
The prosecution described Preston’s murder as a carefully planned contract killing. Tito and Zahabe were accused of travelling from New South Wales to Victoria to carry out the assassination. During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence that the attack involved planning, stolen vehicles and an organised escape.
The defence teams denied that their clients were the masked shooters and argued that police had identified the wrong men. Despite those arguments, the jury found both Tito and Zahabe guilty in May 2026. The convictions represented a major breakthrough in the case almost three years after Preston’s death.
On September 8, 2026, both men were sentenced to 34 years in prison. Tito received a 26-year non-parole period, while Zahabe received a 27-year non-parole period. The judge described the murder as a contract killing involving a high degree of planning and a ruthless disregard for human life.
Importantly, the convictions did not solve every aspect of the case. The person who allegedly ordered Preston’s killing remains unknown. Investigators and prosecutors have considered possible motives involving Preston’s extensive underworld conflicts, but no individual has been publicly established as the person behind the contract.
Gavin Preston Trending: Why Is Gavin Preston Famous?
Gavin Preston is trending again in September 2026 because two men convicted of his murder have just received lengthy prison sentences. Jaeden Tito and Rabii Zahabe were each sentenced to 34 years for the September 2023 killing, bringing renewed national attention to Preston’s life, criminal history and unresolved murder mystery.
The case has attracted particular interest because the identity of the person who ordered the assassination remains unknown. Preston was considered to have accumulated numerous enemies during decades in Melbourne’s underworld, making it difficult for investigators to establish who ultimately commissioned the killing.
His story has therefore returned to the Australian news cycle not because of a new achievement during his lifetime, but because of the latest legal developments surrounding his death. The September 2026 sentencing has renewed public interest in the man known as “Capable” and in the unresolved question of who wanted him dead.
Gavin Preston Personal Life
Gavin Preston was known publicly far more for his criminal career than for his private life. Reliable information about his parents, siblings, children and romantic relationships is limited, and many details circulated online are not sufficiently supported by authoritative sources. He spent a substantial portion of his adult life in prison, which also kept much of his private life away from mainstream public attention.
At the time of his death, Preston had a close circle of associates within Melbourne’s criminal underworld, including people who had known him for years. His relationship with Abbas “AJ” Maghnie was particularly significant in the circumstances of his death because Maghnie was with him when the gunmen attacked. Maghnie survived the shooting but was wounded.
Preston was 50 when he died. Reports following his murder focused primarily on his criminal history, his enemies and the circumstances of the assassination rather than his family life. Consequently, there is no sufficiently reliable public information to provide a detailed account of a wife, children or long-term partner without risking speculation.
Gavin Preston Age, Religion, Nationality, Height and Physical Appearance
Gavin Preston was born in 1973 and was 50 years old when he was killed on September 9, 2023. He was born on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast and later grew up in Melbourne, Victoria.
Preston was Australian by nationality. His religion was not reliably documented in public court reporting or authoritative biographical sources, so no particular religious affiliation can be confidently attributed to him.
His exact height has not been reliably published. Photographs and media descriptions portrayed Preston as a heavily built man with a distinctive tattooed appearance. His nickname “Capable” was also prominently tattooed across his neck, becoming one of his most recognisable physical features.
Gavin Preston Net Worth
There is no reliable public figure for Gavin Preston’s personal net worth. Unlike legitimate business figures whose companies, assets and financial records can sometimes be assessed, Preston’s known activities were primarily connected to criminal networks, making any estimate of his personal wealth highly uncertain.
Media reports have described Preston as a significant figure within Melbourne’s criminal underworld, but prominence in organised crime should not automatically be interpreted as evidence of a particular level of personal wealth. There is insufficient reliable evidence to establish the value of his property, cash, investments or other assets at the time of his death.
For that reason, Gavin Preston’s net worth should be described as unknown and not publicly verified. Any specific dollar amount published online should be treated as speculation unless supported by reliable financial or court documentation.
Gavin Preston Legacy
Gavin Preston’s legacy is overwhelmingly connected to Melbourne’s criminal underworld and the violence that surrounded his life. From his early convictions to his imprisonment for defensive homicide and his connections to other prominent criminal figures, he became one of the more recognisable names in Melbourne gangland reporting.
His murder became another defining part of that legacy. The broad-daylight shooting outside a busy café demonstrated the level of violence that continued to surround Melbourne’s organised-crime networks. The fact that Preston was killed only months after leaving prison added another striking chapter to a life already marked by repeated imprisonment and conflict.
The legal aftermath has kept his name in the news. The 2026 convictions and 34-year sentences for Jaeden Tito and Rabii Zahabe answered the question of who carried out the murder, but the person who allegedly commissioned the hit remains unknown. That unresolved element means the full story behind Gavin Preston’s death is still incomplete.
Conclusion
Gavin “Capable” Preston was a Melbourne underworld figure whose life was defined by serious crime, violence, imprisonment and relationships with prominent figures in Australia’s criminal underworld. Born in Queensland in 1973 and raised in Melbourne, he developed a criminal record from a young age and later served more than a decade in prison after being convicted of defensive homicide over the death of Adam Khoury. After his release in 2023, Preston was shot seven times outside a Keilor café on September 9 of that year. Nearly three years later, Jaeden Tito and Rabii Zahabe were convicted and sentenced to 34 years each for the murder, although the person who allegedly ordered the killing remains unknown.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gavin Preston
Who was Gavin Preston?
Gavin Preston, also known as “Capable” Preston, was an Australian underworld figure associated with Melbourne’s organised-crime scene. He had a lengthy criminal history and was involved in several major criminal cases.
How old was Gavin Preston when he died?
Gavin Preston was 50 years old when he was murdered on September 9, 2023.
When did Gavin Preston die?
Gavin Preston died on September 9, 2023, after being shot outside Sweet Lulu’s café in Keilor Village, Melbourne.
How did Gavin Preston die?
Preston was shot seven times during a targeted attack outside a café. He died at the scene.
Who killed Gavin Preston?
Jaeden Tito and Rabii Zahabe were convicted of murdering Gavin Preston. Both were sentenced to 34 years in prison in September 2026.
Who ordered Gavin Preston’s murder?
The person who allegedly ordered Gavin Preston’s murder has not been publicly identified. Authorities believe the shooting was a contract killing, but the person who commissioned it remains unknown.
What was Gavin Preston’s nickname?
Gavin Preston was widely known as “Capable” Preston. The nickname became strongly associated with his reputation in Melbourne’s underworld.
What was Gavin Preston convicted of?
Among his major convictions was defensive homicide for the 2012 shooting death of Adam Khoury. He received an 11-year prison sentence and spent more than a decade in custody.
Who was Adam Khoury to Gavin Preston?
Adam Khoury was a Melbourne drug dealer whom Preston shot and killed during a 2012 confrontation. Preston claimed he acted in self-defence, and the court convicted him of defensive homicide rather than murder.
Was Gavin Preston married?
Reliable public sources do not provide sufficiently verified information about Gavin Preston’s wife or marital status.
Did Gavin Preston have children?
There is no sufficiently reliable public information establishing the number or identities of Gavin Preston’s children.
What was Gavin Preston’s nationality?
Gavin Preston was Australian. He was born in Queensland and later grew up in Melbourne.
What was Gavin Preston’s net worth?
Gavin Preston’s personal net worth was never reliably disclosed. Any specific figure circulating online should be treated as unverified.
Why is Gavin Preston trending in 2026?
Gavin Preston is trending in September 2026 because the two men convicted of his 2023 murder have been sentenced to 34 years in prison. The case has also renewed interest in the unresolved question of who commissioned his killing.