Sydney’s horror week of shootings

A spate of shootings has rocked Sydney’s southwest this week after five people were gunned down in separate attacks, including a prominent lawyer.

Mahmoud Abbas was rushed to hospital after an unknown man shot him outside his home in Greenacre on Wednesday.

Mr Abbas, who has represented a number of prominent figures, is one of the latest people caught up in an intensifying shooting spree.

Multiple high-profile and oftentimes deadly shootings have rocked the Harbour City this year, with some linked to organised crime.

The shooting spree appeared to come to a head this week, with five shootings rocking southwest Sydney since Sunday.

Canterbury – Thursday

Police again rushed to the scene of another shooting only 10 minutes from Mr Abbas’ home less than a day after the lawyer’s shooting.

A man, believed to be in his 20s, was shot dead outside of a Canterbury home about 2am on Thursday in a suspected “targeted” attack.

While police told The Daily Telegraph both shootings were believed to be targeted, they could not confirm if they were at all linked.

The man was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics for multiple gunshot wounds, but unfortunately could not be revived.

Mahmoud Abbas – Wednesday

Emergency services rushed to Mr Abbas’ Greenacre home on Wednesday morning after reports of a shooting.

Mr Abbas was treated for gunshot wounds to his right leg and stomach, before being taken to hospital.

Detective Superintendent Adam Johnson said Mr Abbas had been able to run back inside after the shooting.

He told the media on Wednesday afternoon that Mr Abbas was being prepared for surgery while in hospital.

Police believe the shooting was yet another “targeted” attack, although the motive remained unclear.

Mr Abbas has represented multiple high-profile figures, including former Auburn deputy mayor Salim Mehajer.

Greenacre – Sunday

On Sunday, three people were injured in a separate suspected gangland shooting in an industrial area at Greenacre.

A gunman is believed to have opened fire at 25-year-old Ahmad Al-Azzam shortly after 2am on Sunday.

Azzam was hit multiple times in the shooting, including in his head.

Innocent bystanders Kaashif Richards, 22, and Achiraya Jantharat, 19, were parked 50m down the road at the time.

The couple were injured in the attack when one of the gunman’s shots pierced the car.

All three people were rushed to hospital after emergency services arrived.

The Daily Telegraph reported on Monday police believed Azzam had been the intended target.

Why the shooter had gone after Azzam was still a mystery, though, with Azzam believed to lack links to organised crime.

NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Stuart Smith said detectives were “throwing everything” at finding the shooter.

Escalating gang war gripping Sydney

An escalating spate of shootings has gripped Sydney since the start of the year with multiple further high-profile attacks.

On July 7, a balaclava-clad gunman burst into Adel’s Salon on Marrickville Rd before shooting two men.

Brothers William, 33, and Eric Siale, 20, were both shot: the former in the buttock and back, the latter in the chest.

Weeks earlier, gangland boss Alen Moradian – nicknamed the “Tony Sorprano” of Australia – was shot in his car.

Mr Moradian was killed in an underground car park at Bondi Junction while on his way to the gym.

A man was also charged earlier this month with the shooting death of Marvin Orahia.

The 24-year-old was gunned down in the driveway of his home in Elizabeth Hills on May 22.

Following an investigation, Simione Sefanaia Lua, 22, was arrested and charged with the murder on July 13.