Desmond "Tuppence" Moran, the brother of Lewis Moran, had publicly claimed to be out of the criminal business. On 17 March 2009 at about 8.50pm (AEDT), he was the target of an unsuccessful assassination attempt outside his home in Langs Road, Ascot Vale. As he sat in his car, a single bullet struck the steering wheel and was deflected from the driver. Moran was in the passenger seat, and witnesses claim to have seen the would-be killer fleeing immediately after firing the single shot.
At about midday (AEST) on 15 June 2009, Moran was shot dead outside the Ascot Pasta and Deli Cafe on Union Road in Ascot Vale. On 16 June, Desmond Moran's sister-in-law Judy Moran and three others were arrested for his murder. Those arrested allegedly include Suzie Kane, sister-in-law of Judy Moran's deceased son, Jason Moran. Judy Moran and Kane were subsequently charged with being an accessory after the fact
