A manhunt is underway following a fatal shooting in Sydney’s inner west on Sunday evening that left one man dead and another critically injured. The incident occurred near the Harold Park Hotel in Forest Lodge around 6:40 PM, shocking local residents and patrons of the nearby pub.
Details of the Shooting
Witnesses reported hearing between six and twelve gunshots before multiple suspects were seen fleeing the scene. According to police, the gunmen initially fled on foot before escaping in a dark-colored vehicle. Nearby streets, including Wigram Road, were cordoned off as authorities began their investigation.
The 39-year-old man who was fatally shot was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics but succumbed to his injuries. Another victim, a 31-year-old man, sustained gunshot wounds to the neck, chest, and abdomen and remains in critical condition at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. A third person was assaulted, although details about their condition were not immediately made public.
Links to Organized Crime
Detective Superintendent Alfio Sergi stated that investigators are looking into possible links between the 31-year-old victim and organized crime networks. Sergi described the incident as a “targeted attack” carried out in a “brazen” and “callous” manner, noting that bullets were fired dangerously close to the busy Harold Park Hotel.
“One bullet hit the window of the pub and narrowly missed a staff member,” Sergi revealed. Police currently believe that multiple attackers may have been involved, but the exact number remains unconfirmed.
Local Community Reacts
The shooting shocked local residents and patrons. Samantha Radford, the hotel manager, stated that the pub was relatively crowded at the time, with around 60 patrons watching a UFC boxing match. The two men who were shot had just exited the hotel with a group moments before the gunfire erupted. Radford confirmed the hotel was evacuated and subsequently closed for the evening.
Charlotte, a local resident, described running out to the scene after hearing the gunfire. She recounted seeing one of the victims shot multiple times but still conscious as he was transported to the ambulance. “It just doesn’t feel like something that happens in Sydney very often, but when it does, it feels pretty scary,” she said.
Medical Response and Investigation
Passersby, including medical students from inside the pub and a doctor living nearby, quickly administered first aid before emergency services arrived. A significant police presence remained on Wigram Road on Monday morning as detectives from Leichhardt Police Area Command and the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad worked at the crime scene.
One woman, who asked to remain anonymous, recounted how she was dropping off a relative at the pub when the shots rang out. “We thought it was fireworks at first,” she said. She noted seeing a man dressed in all black running from the scene moments after the incident. Police later placed traffic cones across the area to mark locations where bullet casings were recovered.
Authorities Urge Calm
Authorities have urged locals to stay calm and cooperate with the investigation as they work diligently to uncover the culprits behind the shooting. More updates are expected as the investigation progresses.
This latest incident highlights growing concerns about the prevalence of organized crime and gun violence in Sydney, drawing attention to the need for stronger community and law enforcement measures to curb such events.
