The man behind a double murder-suicide in a rural Victorian town told police he would "take care" of one of the victims two days before the homicide, a coronial inquiry has heard.
Travis Cashmore, 45, opened fire on two men before taking his own life in Kirkstall, in the state's south-west, on July 22.
The victims were 49-year-old Kevin Knowles, a career criminal also known as Kevin Doherty, and his associate Benjamin Ray, 48.
The court was told a witness saw Cashmore shoot the men on the side of the road in Kirkstall before driving over one of them.
Cashmore's body and a sawn-off shotgun were found at his home a little more than three hours later by his parents.
A directions hearing into the homicide heard Cashmore attended a local police station two days before the incident to complain about Knowles intimidating a friend of his.
This was despite the man, only referred to as "Vinny", having a restraining order against Knowles.
'Leave your gun on the counter'
The court heard Cashmore was told by police that his friend would need to make an official complaint.
He left the station soon after, but not before making a chilling final comment.
"He reportedly said, 'Leave your gun on the counter and I'll take care of him,'" Coroner's Solicitor George Carrington said.
The court heard the police officers did not take Cashmore's comment seriously because it was known that Knowles was "disliked by all" in the community.
Victoria Police's Professional Standards Command reviewed the comment and determined the incident was not considered a police contact-related death.
Drugs not involved, police say
Allegations of drug abuse and evidence regarding Cashmore's mental health were revealed at the hearing.
The court heard that police did not believe the deaths were drug-related, despite references in some sections of the media.
It was confirmed to the court that the police investigation was still in its early stages, but that no-one else was being investigated over the fatalities.
Information regarding Cashmore's mental health will form part of the brief to be handed to the coroner next year.
Detective Senior Constable Craig Wastell will prepare a brief for Deputy State Coroner Jacqueline Hawkins.
The matter is not expected to return to court until February next year at the earliest, due to delays in finalising forensic evidence.
