Individual Taken into Custody Following at Least 50 Shots Let Off from Inner West Sydney Unit

A 60-year-old man is now in police custody after at least one person was shot, multiple individuals harmed and multiple cars fired upon by a gunman in the Croydon Park area.

As many as 100 bullets rang out during a two-hour period starting at 7:45 PM and ending around 9:30 PM on Sunday in the suburb of Croydon Park.

Police Begin Substantial Action

Streets were closed and the area was placed in lockdown following the start of a significant police operation after reports a suspect was haphazardly discharging a weapon at motorists, encompassing law enforcement automobiles, moving along Georges River Road.

The tactical police unit was called in to take into custody a 60-year-old man from a residence located above a commercial establishment adjacent to the bustling roadway.

Officials Give Information

Acting Superintendent Stephen Parry told reporters late Sunday precise figures were not available exactly how many shots were fired “however, it's possible there were in the range of 50 to 100 bullets that were fired”.

He mentioned numerous vehicles and premises were hit by bullets and incurred damage over the course of the occurrence, however, a fuller account would be available in daylight.

Parry indicated the area was made safe “promptly” and praised the officers involved.

“They demonstrated extreme levels of bravery in doing what they did,” he informed the media in a late-night press conference.

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

He did not have confirmation about law enforcement returning fire throughout the confrontation.

Commissioner Recounts Frightening Event

Commissioner Mal Lanyon of NSW Police said officers' body cameras demonstrated how close officers came to being hit as they took cover amid the "critical and alarming situation".

“It's possible to hear numerous gunshots, and clear strikes, nearby the recording device,” Lanyon informed radio station 2GB in Sydney during Monday.

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

The motivation for the gunfire was yet to be determined though Lanyon stated there was no known link with terrorist or gang-related actions.

Harm and Consequences

Emergency medical personnel attended to 16 people at the scene with non-life-threatening harm.

• Some were injured from broken glass when their windows were struck by bullets.
• A few were attended to for shock.

Several individuals were transported to the hospital subsequent to emergency medical attention.

A taxi operator in his 50s was critically but steadily positioned suffering from injuries to his neck and head.

Exceptional Event for the Region

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

“It’s unprecedented for Sydney to witness an occurrence of this kind, involving such an extensive volume of gunfire,” he informed radio broadcaster ABC during Monday.

“We are extremely lucky that additional harm was prevented and certainly more injuries or indeed fatalities.”

King mentioned it must have been frightening for the community as well as for the attending law enforcement.

“What I can say is the first officers on scene were shot at. Our police cars have been damaged and we are extremely lucky that no officers sustained injuries.”

Suspect in Custody

The 60-year-old man remained in police custody in Bankstown hospital and was expected to be questioned and officially charged during Monday.

Weapons, among them a high-caliber rifle, were taken into custody upon his detention, authorities claimed.

Eyewitness Report

A person present during the gunfire told the ABC he was traveling nearby and “listened to a series of bangs along the left side of the taxi”.

“Then, I observed adjacent to me, and I spotted a few openings on the passenger-side window,” he said.

“It escaped my notice that a hole was also present on the roof. I detected the scent of gunpowder, though I thought because it was [NRL] grand final night, perhaps individuals were lighting firecrackers or the like.”