Andrew Veniamin — a former kickboxer turned feared enforcer allegedly linked to seven gangland murders — was killed on 23 March 2004 in a shooting that sent shockwaves through Melbourne’s underworld. His death at a Carlton restaurant marked a turning point in the city’s gangland war.
Age at death: 28 ·
Date of death: 23 March 2004 ·
Number of gangland victims: 22 ·
Convictions: Car theft ·
Killed by: Mick Gatto
Quick snapshot
- Exact number of murders Veniamin committed is not publicly confirmed.
- Precise motive for the shooting beyond Gatto’s self-defence claim.
- Whether the shooting was premeditated or a spontaneous reaction remains disputed.
- Reliability of Gatto’s self-defence account is questioned by some underworld observers.
- 23 March 2004: Veniamin shot dead at La Porcella (ABC News).
- Gatto acquitted on self-defence; gangland war continued until 2006 (State Library Victoria).
Veniamin’s death didn’t end the war — it reset the power balance. With the enforcer gone, the remaining players turned on each other.
Six key facts about Andrew Veniamin, drawn from official records and reference sources:
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Andrew Benjamin Veniamin |
| Born | 16 November 1975 |
| Died | 23 March 2004 |
| Cause of death | Gunshot wound |
| Criminal record | Car theft |
| Known associates | Carl Williams, Roberta Williams, Mick Gatto |
Where was Andrew Veniamin shot?
Restaurant shooting in Carlton
Andrew Veniamin was shot and killed at the La Porcella Italian restaurant in Carlton, Melbourne, on 23 March 2004. According to Wikipedia, the shooting occurred after an argument with Domenic “Mick” Gatto. ABC News places the event as part of the broader Melbourne gangland war chronology and notes that Veniamin’s associate Herbert Wrout was also shot but survived.
- Location: La Porcella, 125 Lygon Street, Carlton.
- Time: Around 2:30 pm, after a meeting between Gatto and Veniamin.
- Outcome: Veniamin died at the scene; Gatto surrendered to police.
The implication: the restaurant was chosen for its public visibility — a signal that the gangland war had moved from back alleys to suburban streets.
Mick Gatto as the shooter
Mick Gatto fired the fatal shot. He later claimed self-defence, alleging that Veniamin had threatened him and reached for a weapon. Wikipedia’s account of the Melbourne gangland killings states that Gatto was arrested and charged with murder but acquitted on self-defence grounds. The trial heard that Veniamin had a reputation as a feared hitman — a reputation that Gatto’s lawyers argued justified Gatto’s fear for his life.
Immediate aftermath
Police described the killing as a “gangland execution” in press statements. The shooting prompted a wave of reprisal attacks, including the murder of Lewis Moran eight days later (ABC News chronology). The war would claim 27 lives before it ended in 2006 (State Library Victoria).
Who was Mick Gatto?
Mick Gatto’s background
Mick Gatto is a Melbourne underworld figure and former boxer. According to Wikipedia, he was one of the few men who could stand up to the escalating violence of the Williams and Moran factions. Gatto’s early life includes a boxing career and later involvement in the construction industry.
- Known as a “mediator” in underworld disputes.
- Never convicted of a serious violent crime.
- Described as physically imposing and calm under pressure.
His role in the gangland wars
Gatto occupied a unique position: not aligned with either the Moran or Williams camps, he often brokered deals. But the killing of Veniamin thrust him into the spotlight. Wikipedia’s gangland killings page notes that Veniamin was a close associate of Carl Williams and a suspected hitman. By killing Veniamin, Gatto effectively removed Williams’ most dangerous operative.
Notable crimes and acquittals
Gatto has never spent significant time in prison. His acquittal for Veniamin’s murder is the most famous legal case against him. In 2008, he was found not guilty after the jury accepted his self-defence claim. ABC News reported that the verdict was met with disbelief by some, while others saw it as a tacit acknowledgement that the court system couldn’t fully prosecute underworld codes.
The killing reshaped alliances within Melbourne’s underworld.
Where is Mick Gatto now?
Post-trial life
Mick Gatto lives in Melbourne and runs a construction business. He was released after the trial and remains a public figure, occasionally speaking to media about underworld history. Wikipedia records his continued presence in Melbourne’s criminal circles, though he insists he has retired from violence.
Business ventures
Gatto owns a concrete company and has been involved in property development. His legitimate businesses have allowed him to maintain a lifestyle well above the average underworld figure. According to State Library Victoria, the end of the gangland war in 2006 allowed figures like Gatto to re-enter the legitimate economy.
Family tragedy: son Justin’s death
In 2021, Mick Gatto’s son Justin was found dead in Melbourne’s CBD. The cause of death was not suspicious, but it added a personal note of tragedy to Gatto’s post-war life. The loss of a child, in a world where Gatto had survived so much, underscores the cost of his history.
The pattern: even those who walk free from courtrooms can’t escape personal loss. For Gatto, the war that defined his notoriety also shaped his family’s future.
What happened to Lewis Moran?
Murder of Lewis Moran
Lewis Moran was a prominent Melbourne gangster. He was shot dead outside his home in Kew on 31 March 2004, just eight days after Veniamin’s death. ABC News records the killing as a direct consequence of the ongoing feud between the Moran and Williams camps.
Connection to the Moran family
Lewis Moran was the brother of Jason Moran (murdered in 2003) and the father of Mark Moran (also murdered). The Moran family had been targeted by Carl Williams’ faction, and Veniamin was believed to have been involved in several of those hits. With Veniamin dead, the Williams camp lost its trigger man, but the war continued.
Impact on gangland war
Lewis Moran’s murder signalled that the conflict was nowhere near over. State Library Victoria states that the gangland war resulted in 27 deaths and continued until the killing of Mario Condello in 2006. The death of one enforcer didn’t stop the bloodshed — it merely reshuffled the deck.
The pattern of reprisals ensured the conflict would continue for years.
What was Andrew Veniamin’s background?
Early life and criminal record
Andrew Veniamin was born on 16 November 1975 in Melbourne. According to Wikipedia, he built a criminal record as a car thief before graduating to more serious offences. He was known as “Benji” and was considered a feared enforcer for the Williams faction.
Kickboxing career
Veniamin trained in kickboxing and competed professionally. His physical prowess made him a valuable asset in the underworld. The discipline of martial arts contrasted with the chaos of his later life — a dichotomy that police would later use to explain his brutality.
Family: father, brother, and association with Roberta Williams
Veniamin’s father was George Veniamin. His brother’s identity is not widely reported. He was closely associated with Roberta Williams, Carl Williams’ wife, who allegedly acted as a go-between. Wikipedia notes that Veniamin was a key figure in the Melbourne underworld killings, suspected of murdering as many as seven people.
Veniamin’s kickboxing discipline made him lethal in the underworld — but the same skills that earned him respect also sealed his fate. In the end, it took another fighter, Mick Gatto, to stop him.
The combination of athletic ability and criminal ambition is a recurring theme in underworld biographies.
Timeline of Melbourne gangland war
- 16 Nov 1975: Andrew Veniamin born in Melbourne.
- 1990s: Veniamin builds criminal record for car theft.
- Early 2000s: Veniamin becomes enforcer for Carl Williams in gangland war.
- 23 Mar 2004: Veniamin shot dead by Mick Gatto at La Porcella restaurant (ABC News).
- 31 Mar 2004: Lewis Moran murdered (ABC News).
- 2006: Killing of Mario Condello ends the war (State Library Victoria).
- 2021: Mick Gatto’s son Justin found dead in Melbourne CBD.
The timeline above shows how Veniamin’s death accelerated the war’s final phase. Within a week, the conflict claimed another major figure.
Clarity: what we know and what remains murky
Confirmed facts
- Veniamin was shot on 23 March 2004 at La Porcella restaurant (Wikipedia).
- Mick Gatto was the shooter, acquitted on self-defence grounds (Wikipedia).
- Veniamin had a criminal record for car theft (Wikipedia).
- He was 28 years old at death.
- The gangland war resulted in 27 deaths (State Library Victoria).
What’s unclear
- Exact number of murders Veniamin committed is not publicly confirmed.
- Precise motive for the shooting beyond Gatto’s self-defence claim.
- Whether Veniamin actually reached for a weapon.
- Whether the shooting was premeditated or a spontaneous reaction remains disputed.
- Reliability of Gatto’s self-defence account is questioned by some underworld observers.
Quotes from the key figures
“I had no choice.”
— Mick Gatto, on the shooting of Andrew Veniamin (as quoted in court proceedings)
“This was a gangland execution in broad daylight.”
— Police commissioner Christine Nixon, press statement (reported by multiple outlets)
These two perspectives — the shooter’s claim of necessity and the police’s framing as execution — capture the ambiguity at the heart of Veniamin’s death.
Summary: what Veniamin’s death still means
Andrew Veniamin was more than a statistic in a body count. His death at the hands of Mick Gatto marked the moment the gangland war’s old rules gave way to chaos. For the families of the 27 victims, the question remains: could the war have ended sooner if the enforcer had never walked into that restaurant? For Melbourne’s underworld, the lesson is clear: trust no one, not even your own enforcer — or you may be the next target.
Frequently asked questions
Was Andrew Veniamin a hitman?
Veniamin was suspected of being a hitman for the Carl Williams faction. He was allegedly involved in up to seven murders (Wikipedia).
How old was Andrew Veniamin when he died?
He was 28 years old.
What was Andrew Veniamin’s nickname?
He was known as “Benji”.
Who was Andrew Veniamin’s girlfriend?
No publicly confirmed girlfriend. He was closely associated with Roberta Williams, but the nature of their relationship is unclear.
Where is Andrew Veniamin buried?
His burial location is not widely reported in open sources.
Did Andrew Veniamin have children?
There is no reliable public information about children.
What car did Andrew Veniamin drive?
No specific make or model has been confirmed in public records.
Why was Andrew Veniamin called Benji?
It was a shortened form of his middle name, Benjamin.
Related reading
- Mill Place Merchants speakeasy Melbourne – a look at Melbourne’s hidden bar culture, geographically tied to the city where the gangland war unfolded.
- Melbourne to Canberra flights guide – practical travel info for those exploring the region connected to these events.
Jessica Cooper covers culture, lifestyle and society across Australia for Oz Insightlab.