Man Taken into Custody In the Wake of No Fewer Than 50 Bullets Discharged from Inner West Sydney Residence

A man in his sixties has been arrested in the aftermath of at least one person was shot, numerous people injured and multiple cars fired upon by a gunman within the inner western suburbs of Sydney.

As many as 100 rounds were fired during a two-hour period between 7.45pm and 9.30pm on Sunday night in Croydon Park.

Authorities Initiate Substantial Action

Thoroughfares were blocked and a lockdown was imposed on the area following the start of a significant police operation in response to information a man was indiscriminately firing at motorists, including police cars, driving on the Georges River Road route.

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

Authorities Provide Details

Superintendent Stephen Parry in an acting capacity told reporters late Sunday precise figures were not available regarding the total number of rounds discharged “though estimates suggest somewhere from 50 to 100 rounds which were shot”.

He said several automobiles and properties experienced gunfire and destruction throughout the event, however, a fuller account would be available in daylight.

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

“They demonstrated remarkable valor through their actions,” he told reporters at a news conference convened in the evening.

“They encountered a barrage of gunfire during several instances and should all be commended for their actions.”

He could not verify if police discharged their firearms as well during the standoff.

Commissioner Details Frightening Situation

Mal Lanyon, the NSW Police Commissioner said body-worn cameras from police showed how close officers came to being hit as they ducked for protection amid the "critical and alarming situation".

“One can hear many shots, and clear strikes, nearby the recording device,” Lanyon stated to Sydney radio 2GB on Monday morning.

An officer who was fired upon had just graduated from the academy five weeks, Lanyon noted.

A motive for the shooting was yet to be determined but Lanyon said no connection was identified with terrorist or gang-related actions.

Injuries and Consequences

Paramedics treated 16 people on site suffering from minor wounds.

• Certain individuals were hurt due to flying glass fragments after their vehicle windows were shot.
• Others were treated for shock.

A group of persons were taken to hospital following care from ambulance crews.

A taxi driver who is in his 50s was in a serious but stable condition suffering from injuries to his neck and head.

Unprecedented Incident for Sydney

It came down to chance that additional individuals were not injured, the acting assistant commissioner Trent King stated.

“It’s unprecedented for Sydney to experience an incident of this nature, involving such an extensive volume of gunfire,” he stated to ABC radio during Monday.

“We’re very fortunate that additional harm was prevented and undoubtedly more injuries or even deaths.”

King said it likely was alarming for the general public as well as for the attending law enforcement.

“To clarify the first officers on scene were shot at. Our police cars have been damaged and we are extremely lucky that all police emerged unharmed.”

Arrested Individual in Detention

The 60-year-old man was held by authorities at Bankstown hospital and was due to be interrogated and officially charged during Monday.

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

Bystander Testimony

An individual who witnessed the shooting reported to the ABC he was passing through and “listened to a series of bangs on the left side of the car, the taxi”.

“And then I looked next to me, and I spotted a few openings through the window right next to – on the passenger side,” he said.

“I was unaware 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, [it was] somebody throwing firecrackers or something.”