Man Taken into Custody After at Least 50 Shots Fired from Inner West Sydney Unit

A man in his sixties is now in police custody after at least one person was shot, multiple individuals harmed and several automobiles targeted by gunfire by a shooter within the inner western suburbs of Sydney.

Up to 100 rounds were fired over a two hour window starting at 7:45 PM and ending around 9:30 PM on Sunday in the suburb of Croydon Park.

Law Enforcement Begin Large-Scale Response

Thoroughfares were blocked and the vicinity was secured under lockdown after authorities initiated a large-scale response in response to information a man was indiscriminately firing at motorists, encompassing law enforcement automobiles, moving along Georges River Road.

Specialist police teams was called in to detain an individual in his sixties from an apartment situated over a shop adjacent to the bustling roadway.

Officials Offer Information

Superintendent Stephen Parry in an acting capacity told reporters during Sunday evening precise figures were not available regarding the total number of rounds discharged “however, it's possible there were in the range of 50 to 100 bullets which were shot”.

He said numerous vehicles and premises were hit by bullets and incurred damage during the incident, but a clearer picture would be available in daylight.

Parry stated the area was made safe “fairly quickly” and praised the officers involved.

“They demonstrated extreme levels of bravery through their actions,” he informed the media in a late-night press conference.

“They were under a barrage of gunfire during several instances and should all be commended due to their conduct.”

He was unable to confirm if police discharged their firearms as well in the course of the incident.

Police Commissioner Recounts Terrifying Incident

Commissioner Mal Lanyon of NSW Police stated body-worn cameras from police revealed how near police were to getting shot as they took cover during the “serious and terrifying incident”.

“You can hear a multitude of firearm discharges, along with definite impacts, nearby the recording device,” Lanyon stated to radio station 2GB in Sydney on Monday.

An officer who was fired upon had only been out of the academy for five weeks, Lanyon mentioned.

The reason behind the shooting has not been established though Lanyon stated there was no known link to acts of terrorism or organized crime.

Injuries and Consequences

Ambulance crews cared for sixteen individuals at the location with non-life-threatening harm.

• A number sustained injuries from broken glass when their windows were struck by bullets.
• A few were attended to for shock.

A number of people were transported to the hospital following care from ambulance crews.

A taxi operator who is in his 50s was critically but steadily positioned having sustained harm to his neck and head area.

Unprecedented Occurrence for the Region

It was a matter of luck that more people weren’t hurt, the acting assistant commissioner Trent King stated.

“Such an event is rare for Sydney to witness an occurrence of this kind, involving such an extensive volume of gunfire,” he told radio broadcaster ABC on Monday.

“We are extremely lucky that further destruction was avoided and certainly more injuries or indeed fatalities.”

King mentioned it must have been frightening for the community and responding police officers.

“What I can say is those initial police were fired upon. Our police cars have been damaged and we’re very fortunate that no police have been injured.”

Suspect in Custody

The male suspect aged 60 was under police custody within a Bankstown medical facility and was expected to be questioned and formally accused on Monday.

Weapons, among them a high-caliber rifle, were confiscated at the time of his arrest, law enforcement stated.

Bystander Report

A person present during the gunfire reported to the ABC he was traveling nearby and “listened to a series of bangs on the taxi's left flank”.

“Subsequently, I glanced beside me, and I spotted a few openings through the window right next to – on the passenger side,” he stated.

“I was unaware that the roof had a hole too. And I smelled the gunpowder, but I assumed as it coincided with the NRL grand final evening, [it was] somebody throwing firecrackers or something.”