Suspect Arrested After No Fewer Than 50 Shots Discharged from Croydon Park Unit

A man in his sixties has been arrested after one individual sustained a gunshot wound, several persons wounded and multiple cars fired upon by a gunman in Sydney’s inner west.

Up to 100 shots echoed during a two-hour period between 7.45pm and 9.30pm on Sunday night in Croydon Park.

Police Initiate Substantial Action

Streets were closed and the area was placed in lockdown following the start of a significant police operation after reports a man was indiscriminately firing in the direction of passing vehicles, even targeting police vehicles, moving along Georges River Road.

Specialist police teams were summoned to detain the male suspect aged 60 from a residence located above a commercial establishment adjacent to the bustling roadway.

Officials Give An Account

Superintendent Stephen Parry in an acting capacity told reporters late Sunday precise figures were not available about the precise count of bullets let off “however, it's possible there were somewhere from 50 to 100 rounds that were fired”.

He stated several automobiles and properties were hit by bullets and incurred damage over the course of the occurrence, though a more detailed understanding was expected to emerge by morning.

Parry stated the area was made safe “fairly quickly” and commended the participating police.

“They showed extreme levels of bravery through their actions,” he informed the media at a news conference convened in the evening.

“They were under rapid fire gun shots multiple times and ought to be praised for their actions.”

He could not verify about law enforcement returning fire during the standoff.

Top Officer Recounts Frightening Event

Commissioner Mal Lanyon of NSW Police said officers' body cameras revealed how close officers came to being hit while they sought shelter during the “serious and terrifying incident”.

“It's possible to hear numerous gunshots, and clear strikes, in close proximity to the camera,” Lanyon told radio station 2GB in Sydney on Monday morning.

One of the officers shot at had just graduated from the academy just five weeks prior, Lanyon said.

A motive for the shooting was yet to be determined but Lanyon said there was no known link to any terrorism or gang activity.

Casualties and Fallout

Emergency medical personnel attended to sixteen individuals on site with non-life-threatening harm.

• A number sustained injuries from broken glass after their vehicle windows were shot.
• Some received treatment for shock.

Several individuals were admitted to medical facilities after being treated by paramedics.

A cab driver who is in his 50s remained in serious yet stable condition suffering from injuries to his neck and head.

Rare Event for the Region

It came down to chance that further casualties were avoided, the acting assistant commissioner Trent King stated.

“Such an event is rare for Sydney to witness an occurrence of this kind, featuring a significant quantity of discharged rounds,” he informed ABC radio during Monday.

“It is very fortunate that additional harm was prevented and certainly more injuries or indeed fatalities.”

King mentioned it likely was alarming for the general public and the police who responded.

“What I can say is the first officers on scene were shot at. We have damaged police vehicles and we’re very fortunate that no officers sustained injuries.”

Alleged Shooter in Police Custody

The male suspect aged 60 remained in police custody at Bankstown hospital and was due to be interrogated and officially charged during Monday.

Weapons, among them a high-caliber rifle, were confiscated at the time of his arrest, police alleged.

Eyewitness Account

One eyewitness to the shooting reported to the ABC he was driving by and “heard a bang, bang, bang on the left side of the car, the taxi”.

“And then I looked next to me, and I saw a couple of holes on the passenger-side window,” he mentioned.

“It escaped my notice that a hole was also present on the roof. I detected the scent of gunpowder, however, I presumed because it was [NRL] grand final night, [it was] somebody throwing firecrackers or something.”