Key Takeaways
- A Sydney underworld associate’s home was shot at overnight, with around 30 rounds fired into the property
- Two women and a child were inside the property at the time of the incident, but were not injured
- The shooting is believed to be linked to an internal feud within the Alameddine crime family, which operates an organized crime network in Western Sydney
- Police have found a firearm inside the gunman’s car, which was burnt out in a nearby street, and are appealing for community assistance to find the perpetrator
- The incident is part of a recent surge in public shootings in the area, which police believe is connected to the Alameddine feud
Introduction to the Incident
A disturbing incident occurred in Guildford West, Sydney, overnight, where a home was shot at, and security camera vision captured the moment when about 30 rounds were fired into the property. The incident happened just after midnight on Sunday, and amazingly, two women, aged 45 and 23, and a seven-year-old child inside the property at the time were not injured during the attack. The home belongs to an associate of the Alameddine crime family, which operates an organized crime network in Western Sydney.
Details of the Shooting
According to sources, a white hatchback was seen pulling up to the home, and the gunman can be heard loading a firearm and seen appearing to step out of the driver’s seat before dozens of shots ring out on the quiet street. The security camera vision shows the sheer intensity of the shooting, with dozens of shells found on the suburban street after the incident. The person who was the intended target of Sunday morning’s shooting also had his shop in Merrylands torched twice in two nights earlier this year, suggesting a possible link to the Alameddine feud.
Police Investigation
NSW Police Inspector Ricki Lindner stated that officers had located a firearm inside the gunman’s car after it was found burnt out in a nearby street three hours after the shooting. The police have set up a crime scene and have been combing over the street in Guildford West for most of Sunday. Inspector Lindner expressed concern for the well-being of the women and child who were inside the property at the time of the incident, saying, "Naturally they’re quite rattled… Yes, police have been speaking with the women, and they’re helping with ongoing enquiries, it’s not a nice thing to have occurred to them." The police are also appealing for members of the community with any vision to come forward and assist police with finding the gunman.
Possible Motives and Connections
The shooting is believed to be linked to an internal feud within the Alameddine crime family, which has been connected to a recent surge in public shootings in the area. Inspector Lindner declined to answer when asked how many bullets were fired but said links to the Alameddine feud and the barbershop torching were "lines of enquiry". The police are taking the incident seriously, and the fact that the gunman’s car was found burnt out in a nearby street suggests that the perpetrator may have been trying to destroy evidence.
Community Impact and Police Appeal
The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, with Inspector Lindner saying, "It’s outrageous that this sort of thing is happening in the community." The police are urging anyone with information or vision to come forward and assist with the investigation. The fact that two women and a child were inside the property at the time of the incident and were not injured is a relief, but the incident highlights the need for the community to work together to prevent such incidents from happening in the future. By providing information and assistance to the police, the community can help bring the perpetrator to justice and prevent further incidents of violence.
