Suspect Arrested Following No Fewer Than 50 Bullets Fired from Sydney Residence

A man in his sixties has been arrested following at least one person was shot, multiple individuals harmed and several automobiles targeted by gunfire by an armed individual in Sydney’s inner west.

Up to 100 bullets were fired over a two hour window starting at 7:45 PM and ending around 9:30 PM on Sunday within the Croydon Park locality.

Police Launch Major Operation

Roads were shut down and the vicinity was secured under lockdown after authorities initiated a large-scale response after reports a man was indiscriminately firing in the direction of passing vehicles, encompassing law enforcement automobiles, moving along Georges River Road.

The tactical operations squad was called in to take into custody the male suspect aged 60 from a residence located above a commercial establishment on the heavily trafficked street.

Officials Provide Details

Acting Supt Stephen Parry informed the press on Sunday night precise figures were not available about the precise count of bullets let off “though estimates suggest somewhere from 50 to 100 rounds that were fired”.

He mentioned multiple cars and buildings sustained gunshots and damage throughout the event, however, a fuller account would be available in daylight.

Parry said the scene was secured “promptly” and commended the participating police.

“They showed remarkable valor through their actions,” he told reporters during a press briefing held late at night.

“They encountered a barrage of gunfire on a number of occasions and ought to be praised due to their conduct.”

He could not verify if police discharged their firearms as well in the course of the incident.

Police Commissioner Describes Frightening Incident

Mal Lanyon, the NSW Police Commissioner remarked law enforcement's wearable cameras revealed how near police were to getting shot while they sought shelter during the “serious and terrifying incident”.

“You can hear a multitude of firearm discharges, and certainly impact, not too far from the camera,” Lanyon informed Sydney radio 2GB during Monday.

One of the officers shot at was a recent academy graduate just five weeks prior, Lanyon mentioned.

The motivation for the gunfire was yet to be determined though Lanyon stated no connection was identified to any terrorism or gang activity.

Harm and Consequences

Paramedics treated sixteen individuals at the location suffering from minor wounds.

• A number sustained injuries by shattered glass as their windows were hit by the bullets.
• A few were attended to for shock.

A number of people were taken to hospital after being treated by paramedics.

A taxi operator aged in his fifties was in a serious but stable condition suffering from injuries to his neck and head.

Rare Event for Sydney

It came down to chance that more people weren’t hurt, the acting assistant commissioner Trent King said.

“It’s unprecedented for Sydney to have something like this, involving such an extensive volume of gunfire,” he stated to the ABC radio station on Monday.

“It is very fortunate that we didn’t have more damage and undoubtedly more injuries or even deaths.”

King said it would have been terrifying for residents and bystanders and responding police officers.

“What I can say is those initial police were fired upon. Our police cars have been damaged and we are extremely lucky that no police have been injured.”

Suspect in Detention

The individual in his sixties was under police custody at Bankstown hospital and was due to be interrogated and formally charged on Monday.

Guns, such as a large-caliber rifle, were confiscated at the time of his arrest, police alleged.

Bystander Report

A person present during the gunfire reported to the ABC he was traveling nearby and “heard a bang, bang, bang on the taxi's left flank”.

“And then I looked next to me, and I noticed several holes 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, however, I presumed since it was the night of the NRL grand final, perhaps individuals were lighting firecrackers or the like.”