Individual Arrested After at Least 50 Bullets Fired from Sydney Home

A man in his sixties was taken into custody in the aftermath of one individual sustained a gunshot wound, multiple individuals harmed and multiple cars fired upon by a gunman within the inner western suburbs of Sydney.

An estimated 100 shots rang out across a span of two hours between 7.45pm and 9.30pm on Sunday night in the suburb of Croydon Park.

Authorities Launch Major Operation

Streets were closed and the area was placed in lockdown as police launched a major operation in response to information a suspect was haphazardly discharging a weapon towards drivers, even targeting police vehicles, driving on the Georges River Road route.

The tactical police unit were deployed to take into custody a 60-year-old man from a unit above a business adjacent to the bustling roadway.

Authorities Give Details

Acting Superintendent Stephen Parry informed the press on Sunday night it was unclear regarding the total number of rounds discharged “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 during the incident, but a clearer picture could be obtained during daylight hours.

Parry said the area was made safe “relatively swiftly” and praised the officers involved.

“They demonstrated remarkable valor by carrying out their duties,” he stated to the press in a late-night press conference.

“They faced rapid fire gun shots on a number of occasions and should all be commended for their actions.”

He did not have confirmation if police discharged their firearms as well in the course of the incident.

Top Officer Recounts Terrifying Situation

Mal Lanyon, the NSW Police Commissioner remarked law enforcement's wearable cameras demonstrated how close officers came to being hit as they ducked for protection amid the "critical and alarming situation".

“It's possible to hear a multitude of firearm discharges, and clear strikes, in close proximity to the camera,” Lanyon informed 2GB radio in Sydney on Monday morning.

An officer who was fired upon was a recent academy graduate five weeks, Lanyon said.

A motive for the shooting was yet to be determined though Lanyon stated no connection was identified to acts of terrorism or organized crime.

Harm and Aftermath

Emergency medical personnel attended to sixteen individuals at the location for minor injuries.

• A number sustained injuries from broken glass after their vehicle windows were shot.
• A few were attended to for shock.

A number of people were taken to hospital subsequent to emergency medical attention.

A taxi driver aged in his fifties remained in serious yet stable condition suffering from injuries to his neck and head.

Unprecedented Incident for the City

Fortune played a role that more people weren’t hurt, the acting assistant commissioner Trent King commented.

“This is unheard of in Sydney to have something like this, involving such an extensive volume of gunfire,” he informed ABC radio on Monday morning.

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

King stated it likely was alarming for the community and responding police officers.

“What I can say is the responding police came under gunfire. Law enforcement automobiles incurred harm and we’re very fortunate that no police have been injured.”

Suspect in Detention

The male suspect aged 60 was held by authorities within a Bankstown medical facility and was due to be interrogated and formally charged on Monday.

Firearms, including a high-calibre rifle, were confiscated at the time of his arrest, police alleged.

Eyewitness Testimony

One eyewitness to the shooting reported to the ABC he was traveling nearby and “detected multiple banging sounds on the taxi's left flank”.

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

“It escaped my notice that a hole was also present on the roof. And I smelled the gunpowder, but I assumed because it was [NRL] grand final night, perhaps individuals were lighting firecrackers or the like.”