Detective Chief Superintendent Jason Weinstein stated the crime was “one of the vital brutal” he had seen in 28 years investigating the crime whereas talking to the media right this moment.
Detectives arrested eight folks after executing search warrants throughout Sydney and the Central Coast, together with Drummoyne, Wattle Grove, Miller, Homebush West, Moorebank and Gorocan at 6am right this moment.
The arrests relate to a taking pictures in Greenacre earlier this 12 months, when Ahmed Al-Azzam, 25, was present in a automotive significantly injured on July 23 this 12 months.
He was taken to the hospital the place he died of his wounds.
A 22-year-old man and a 19-year-old lady have been additionally discovered injured in a separate automotive.
The person nonetheless suffers from “life-changing” spinal accidents, whereas the lady has recovered.
Police imagine the three have been focused by a prison gang in a case of mistaken id.
Detective Chief Inspector Jason Weinstein stated these allegedly concerned within the taking pictures believed members of the Comanchero prison group have been planning to assault them, and so they allegedly killed Al-Azzam with out confirming he was a part of the group.
Police stated he was not, and had by no means been, affiliated with any prison group.
“They’re under no circumstances linked to any prison exercise of their lives,” Weinstein stated whereas addressing the media.
“I approached Al-Azzam with a stolen automotive… [and] With none interplay occurring between the 2 vehicles…a lot of bullets have been fired on the automotive.
“They willingly and cruelly shot and killed that man. It is without doubt one of the most horrific crimes I’ve seen in my 28 years of investigating the crime.”
“To the one who pulled the set off on this homicide: We’re closing in on you as we converse.”
4 folks face homicide costs, whereas police say the person who pulled the set off has been recognized and is at the moment overseas.
They’re working to trace down the nation he’s in.
“Investigators are assured that we now have recognized the shooter, and we’re not claiming that anybody arrested right this moment is the shooter,” Virginia Gorman, appearing director of detectives, instructed the media.
“He ought to go residence and face the results of his actions.”
Two males, aged 39 and 25, have been faraway from the Parklea Correctional Facility and brought to Riverstone Police Station, the place they have been arrested and are anticipated to be charged over their alleged involvement within the taking pictures.
A 27-year-old man has been faraway from a separate correctional facility in Wellington. He was positioned underneath arrest and is anticipated to be charged with accent to the homicide earlier than it occurred.
4 different folks face costs associated to prison exercise.
A 25-year-old man from Wattle Grove has been arrested and is anticipated to be charged with offenses referring to his alleged involvement in a prison group.
A 21-year-old lady has been arrested in Moorebank the place she is anticipated to be charged for allegedly being concerned in a prison group.
A 40-year-old man has been arrested in Gorukan and is anticipated to be charged with offenses associated to his alleged involvement in a prison group.
Two males aged 24 and 40 have been arrested in Drummoyne.
The 40-year-old is anticipated to be charged over his alleged hyperlinks to a prison community.
The 24-year-old is anticipated to be charged over his alleged involvement within the taking pictures.
