Individual Arrested In the Wake of at Least 50 Bullets Discharged from Sydney Residence

A man in his sixties was taken into custody after a shooting that injured at least one person, numerous people injured and a number of vehicles shot at by a shooter in Sydney’s inner west.

An estimated 100 rounds rang out over a two hour window starting at 7:45 PM and ending around 9:30 PM on Sunday within the Croydon Park locality.

Law Enforcement Launch Major Operation

Roads were shut down and a lockdown was imposed on the area as police launched a major operation following accounts a suspect was haphazardly discharging a weapon in the direction of passing vehicles, including police cars, driving on the Georges River Road route.

Specialist police teams were summoned to arrest a 60-year-old man from an apartment situated over a shop on the heavily trafficked street.

Police Leadership Give Details

Acting Supt Stephen Parry told reporters on Sunday night the exact number was uncertain about the precise count of bullets let off “though estimates suggest in the range of 50 to 100 bullets that were fired”.

He said several automobiles and properties were hit by bullets and incurred damage during the incident, though a more detailed understanding would be available in daylight.

Parry stated the scene was secured “relatively swiftly” and commended the participating police.

“They exhibited remarkable valor in doing what they did,” he told reporters in a late-night press conference.

“They faced rapid fire gun shots multiple times and ought to be praised due to their conduct.”

He could not verify if police discharged their firearms as well in the course of the incident.

Top Officer Recounts Alarming Incident

Commissioner Mal Lanyon of NSW Police remarked law enforcement's wearable cameras showed how near police were to getting shot as they took cover amid the "critical and alarming situation".

“It's possible to hear numerous gunshots, and clear strikes, not too far from the camera,” Lanyon informed radio station 2GB in Sydney during Monday.

An officer who was fired upon was a recent academy graduate for five weeks, Lanyon mentioned.

A motive for the shooting remains under investigation though Lanyon stated there was no known link to acts of terrorism or organized crime.

Casualties and Aftermath

Ambulance crews cared for a group of 16 persons on site for minor injuries.

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

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

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

Unprecedented Occurrence for the City

It came down to chance that further casualties were avoided, Acting Assistant Commissioner Trent King stated.

“Such an event is rare for Sydney to have something like this, featuring a significant quantity of discharged rounds,” he stated to radio broadcaster ABC during Monday.

“We’re very fortunate that further destruction was avoided and clearly further casualties or potentially deaths.”

King said it likely was alarming for the general public and responding police officers.

“To clarify those initial police were fired upon. Law enforcement automobiles incurred harm and we are extremely lucky that no officers sustained injuries.”

Alleged Shooter in Detention

The individual in his sixties remained in police custody at Bankstown hospital and was due to be interrogated and formally charged on Monday.

Weapons, among them a high-caliber rifle, were confiscated at the time of his arrest, law enforcement stated.

Eyewitness Report

A person present during the gunfire told the ABC he was passing through and “heard a bang, bang, bang on the taxi's left flank”.

“Subsequently, I glanced beside me, and I spotted a few openings on the passenger-side window,” he stated.

“I was unaware there was actually a hole on the roof as well. The odor of gunpowder reached me, but I assumed since it was the night of the NRL grand final, perhaps individuals were lighting firecrackers or the like.”