A man was shot dead in a drive-by shooting on a busy Sydney street this morning as commuters went to work and parents ferried kids to school.
The victim, a 20-year-old man, was gunned down outside his home on Stella Street, Fairfield Heights, around 8.30am. Paramedics attempted to revive him with CPR, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Witnesses said the man was standing on the footpath, when a dark-coloured sedan pulled up and the assailant fired multiple shots from inside the car.
Locals described hearing the shooting and screams, and some at the scene claimed the attack was a revenge hit.
“I heard at least six shots being fired,” a local resident, who chose to remain anonymous, told Central News.
“When I came out to see what was happening, there was lots of screaming up the street. He was shot dead at ‘point blank’.
“It was gang-related.”
The targeted attack in Sydney’s West is being investigated by NSW Police, who are scouring the area for security footage that might capture the fleeing vehicle.
NSW Police Detective Michael McLean, in charge of the investigation, confirmed the victim’s ties to organised crime.
“That male is known to us and certainly his history and other associations will form part of our investigation,” he said.
History tells us that retaliatory attacks do occur.
Detective McLean warned residents of the potential for further violence, urging heightened vigilance among the community, adding: “History tells us that retaliatory attacks do occur.”
Residents said dozens of young children were being dropped off at school when emergency services swarmed the suburb.
“I was on my way out to drop the kids at school when I heard the shots,” one woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said.
Main image by Frances Du.
