Brother of Underbelly gangster slain in Melbourne

L: Des Moran's nephews, Mark and Jason, and brother Lewis as portrayed on <i>Underbelly.</i> R: Police examine the shooting site. Photos / Getty Images, Supplied

Des "Tuppence" Moran, the brother of slain gangland figure Lewis Moran, is believed to have been shot dead outside a shop in suburban Melbourne.

Paramedics were called to Union Road in Ascot Vale shortly after midday on Monday but the victim was dead when they arrived.

Police confirmed a man in his 60s had been killed, while gangland identity Mick Gatto and several locals said it was Mr Moran.

"Someone called me this morning and told me he had been shot a number of times and was dead," Mr Gatto told AAP.

The location is in the vicinity of an attack earlier this year on Mr Moran as he sat in a car in the driveway of his Ascot Vale home.

Police had a suspect at the time but no charges were laid.

Mr Moran is the uncle of Jason and Mark Moran who were also killed in the Melbourne gangland war made famous by the TV drama Underbelly.

Police have cordoned off the area in Melbourne's inner north, while most shops nearby have closed their doors and pulled down shutters.

It is believed Mr Moran was shot outside a delicatessen.

A coroner's van is still at the scene with around six police cars at the busy shopping strip.

Police say no one has been arrested.

- AAP