Man Taken into Custody After at Least 50 Rounds Fired from Inner West Sydney Unit

A 60-year-old man was taken into custody after one individual sustained a gunshot wound, multiple individuals harmed and several automobiles targeted by gunfire by an armed individual in Sydney’s inner west.

An estimated 100 bullets echoed over a two hour window from 7:45 PM to 9:30 PM Sunday evening within the Croydon Park locality.

Police Initiate Substantial Action

Roads were shut down and the vicinity was secured under lockdown after authorities initiated a large-scale response in response to information a man was indiscriminately firing at motorists, encompassing law enforcement automobiles, moving along Georges River Road.

The tactical police unit were deployed to arrest an individual in his sixties from a residence located above a commercial establishment on the heavily trafficked street.

Officials Give An Account

Superintendent Stephen Parry in an acting capacity stated to journalists on Sunday night it was unclear regarding the total number of rounds discharged “however, it's possible there were somewhere from 50 to 100 rounds that were fired”.

He said several automobiles and properties sustained gunshots and damage during the incident, though a more detailed understanding could be obtained during daylight hours.

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

“They showed exceptional courage by carrying out their duties,” he informed the media in a late-night press conference.

“They faced rapid fire gun shots during several instances and deserve full recognition for what they did.”

He was unable to confirm whether officers also fired their weapons throughout the confrontation.

Police Commissioner Describes Terrifying Event

Commissioner Mal Lanyon of NSW Police stated officers' body cameras showed the proximity of officers to being struck while they sought shelter throughout the "grave and frightening event".

“One can hear numerous gunshots, along with definite impacts, nearby the recording device,” Lanyon told Sydney radio 2GB on Monday.

One of the officers shot at had only been out of the academy for five weeks, Lanyon said.

The motivation for the gunfire was yet to be determined however, Lanyon indicated no association was found with terrorist or gang-related actions.

Casualties and Fallout

Paramedics treated sixteen individuals on site suffering from minor wounds.

• A number sustained injuries from broken glass as their windows were hit by the bullets.
• Others were treated for shock.

Several individuals were transported to the hospital subsequent to emergency medical attention.

A taxi operator in his 50s remained in serious yet stable condition suffering from injuries to his neck and head.

Unprecedented Occurrence for Sydney

It came down to chance that further casualties were avoided, the acting assistant commissioner Trent King said.

“It’s unprecedented for Sydney to experience an incident of this nature, featuring a significant quantity of discharged rounds,” he stated to the ABC radio station during Monday.

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

King said it must have been frightening for the community as well as for the attending law enforcement.

“It can be stated that the first officers on scene were shot at. Law enforcement automobiles incurred harm and we are extremely lucky that no police have been injured.”

Arrested Individual in Police Custody

The 60-year-old man was under police custody in Bankstown hospital and was expected to be questioned and formally charged on Monday.

Weapons, among them a high-caliber rifle, were taken into custody upon his detention, authorities claimed.

Eyewitness Testimony

One eyewitness to the shooting told the ABC he was traveling nearby and “heard a bang, bang, bang on the left side of the car, the taxi”.

“And then I looked next to me, and I saw a couple of holes through the window right next to – on the passenger side,” he said.

“And I didn’t realise that the roof had a hole too. I detected the scent of gunpowder, but I assumed as it coincided with the NRL grand final evening, [it was] somebody throwing firecrackers or something.”