Individual Detained Following a Minimum of 50 Bullets Fired from Sydney Home

A man in his sixties has been arrested in the aftermath of at least one person was shot, multiple individuals harmed and multiple cars fired upon by an armed individual in the Croydon Park area.

As many as 100 bullets were fired across a span of two hours starting at 7:45 PM and ending around 9:30 PM on Sunday in the suburb of Croydon Park.

Law Enforcement Launch Large-Scale Response

Thoroughfares were blocked and the area was placed in lockdown following the start of a significant police operation in response to information an individual was randomly shooting in the direction of passing vehicles, including police cars, travelling along Georges River Road.

The tactical police unit was called in to arrest an individual in his sixties from a residence located above a commercial establishment along the busy road.

Authorities Offer Details

Acting Superintendent Stephen Parry stated to journalists during Sunday evening it was unclear regarding the total number of rounds discharged “but there could have been anywhere between 50 and 100 shots that have been discharged”.

He said numerous vehicles and premises experienced gunfire and destruction during the incident, however, a fuller account could be obtained during daylight hours.

Parry stated the area was made safe “relatively swiftly” and applauded the involved law enforcement personnel.

“They exhibited remarkable valor in doing what they did,” he informed the media during a press briefing held late at night.

“They encountered swift shooting during several instances and ought to be praised for what they did.”

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

Top Officer Details Terrifying Event

Mal Lanyon, the NSW Police Commissioner said law enforcement's wearable cameras demonstrated how close officers came to being hit as they took cover throughout the "grave and frightening event".

“One can hear numerous gunshots, and clear strikes, not too far from the camera,” Lanyon informed Sydney radio 2GB during Monday.

A police member targeted by gunfire had only been out of the academy just five weeks prior, Lanyon noted.

The motivation for the gunfire was yet to be determined however, Lanyon indicated no connection was identified to acts of terrorism or organized crime.

Casualties and Consequences

Paramedics treated sixteen individuals at the scene with non-life-threatening harm.

• Some were injured from broken glass after their vehicle windows were shot.
• A few were attended to for shock.

A number of people were taken to hospital subsequent to emergency medical attention.

A cab driver who is in his 50s was in a serious but stable condition having sustained harm to his neck and head area.

Rare Incident for the Region

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

“This is unheard of in Sydney to witness an occurrence of this kind, with such a large number of shots fired,” he told radio broadcaster ABC on Monday.

“We’re very fortunate that further destruction was avoided and undoubtedly more injuries or even deaths.”

King mentioned it would have been terrifying for the community and responding police officers.

“It can be stated that the responding police came under gunfire. Our police cars have been damaged and we’re very fortunate that all police emerged unharmed.”

Suspect in Detention

The individual in his sixties was under police custody in Bankstown hospital and was expected to be questioned and officially charged during Monday.

Weapons, among them a high-caliber rifle, were confiscated at the time of his arrest, authorities claimed.

Witness Report

One eyewitness to the shooting reported to the ABC he was traveling nearby and “heard a bang, bang, bang on the taxi's left flank”.

“Then, I observed adjacent to me, and I noticed several holes through the window right next to – on the passenger side,” he stated.

“It escaped my notice there was actually a hole on the roof as well. The odor of gunpowder reached me, but I assumed because it was [NRL] grand final night, [it was] somebody throwing firecrackers or something.”