Individual Arrested After a Minimum of 50 Rounds Let Off from Croydon Park Home

A man in his sixties has been arrested following one individual sustained a gunshot wound, several persons wounded and multiple cars fired upon by an armed individual in the Croydon Park area.

Up to 100 rounds were fired over a two hour window between 7.45pm and 9.30pm on Sunday night in Croydon Park.

Authorities Begin Major Operation

Roads were shut down and a lockdown was imposed on the area following the start of a significant police operation in response to information a suspect was haphazardly discharging a weapon in the direction of passing vehicles, even targeting police vehicles, moving along Georges River Road.

The tactical operations squad were summoned to detain the male suspect aged 60 from a unit above a business along the busy road.

Officials Provide An Account

Acting Supt Stephen Parry informed the press during Sunday evening it was unclear about the precise count of bullets let off “however, it's possible there were in the range of 50 to 100 bullets that have been discharged”.

He said numerous vehicles and premises experienced gunfire and destruction during the incident, but a clearer picture was expected to emerge by morning.

Parry indicated the area was made safe “relatively swiftly” and commended the participating police.

“They showed remarkable valor through their actions,” he stated to the press during a press briefing held late at night.

“They encountered rapid fire gun shots during several instances and should all be commended for their actions.”

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

Top Officer Describes Terrifying Situation

Mal Lanyon, the NSW Police Commissioner stated officers' body cameras demonstrated how near police were to getting shot as they took cover during the “serious and terrifying incident”.

“It's possible to hear numerous gunshots, and certainly impact, in close proximity to the camera,” Lanyon told Sydney radio 2GB on Monday.

An officer who was fired upon had only been out of the academy five weeks, Lanyon mentioned.

The reason behind the shooting has not been established though Lanyon stated no association was found to acts of terrorism or organized crime.

Harm and Fallout

Emergency medical personnel attended to 16 people at the location for minor injuries.

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

A number of people were admitted to medical facilities after being treated by paramedics.

A cab driver in his 50s was critically but steadily positioned having sustained harm to his neck and head area.

Unprecedented Occurrence for Sydney

It was a matter of luck that further casualties were avoided, Acting Assistant Commissioner Trent King commented.

“This is unheard of in Sydney to experience an incident of this nature, involving such an extensive volume of gunfire,” he told radio broadcaster ABC on Monday.

“It is very fortunate that additional harm was prevented and undoubtedly more injuries or even deaths.”

King said it must have been frightening for residents and bystanders as well as for the attending law enforcement.

“To clarify those initial police were fired upon. Our police cars have been damaged and it is very fortunate that all police emerged unharmed.”

Arrested Individual in Police Custody

The individual in his sixties was under police custody at Bankstown hospital and was expected to be questioned and formally accused on Monday.

Firearms, including a high-calibre rifle, were confiscated at the time of his arrest, police alleged.

Witness Report

A person present during the gunfire reported to the ABC he was driving by and “detected multiple banging sounds on the left side of the car, the taxi”.

“Then, I observed adjacent to me, and I saw a couple of holes on the passenger-side window,” he said.

“And I didn’t realise that a hole was also present on the roof. The odor of gunpowder reached me, but I assumed since it was the night of the NRL grand final, [it was] somebody throwing firecrackers or something.”