Individual Detained After a Minimum of 50 Bullets Fired from Inner West Sydney Unit

A male suspect aged 60 is now in police custody after one individual sustained a gunshot wound, numerous people injured 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 between 7.45pm and 9.30pm on Sunday night within the Croydon Park locality.

Police Launch Major Operation

Streets were closed and the area was placed in lockdown after authorities initiated a large-scale response in response to information a man was indiscriminately firing in the direction of passing vehicles, encompassing law enforcement automobiles, travelling along Georges River Road.

The tactical operations squad were deployed to detain the male suspect aged 60 from an apartment situated over a shop along the busy road.

Officials Provide An Account

Superintendent Stephen Parry in an acting capacity stated to journalists during Sunday evening precise figures were not available about the precise count of bullets let off “however, it's possible there were anywhere between 50 and 100 shots that were fired”.

He said numerous vehicles and premises were hit by bullets and incurred damage during the incident, but a clearer picture would be available in daylight.

Parry indicated the scene was secured “relatively swiftly” and applauded the involved law enforcement personnel.

“They demonstrated exceptional courage in doing what they did,” he stated to the press during a press briefing held late at night.

“They were under a barrage of gunfire on a number of occasions and deserve full recognition due to their conduct.”

He did not have confirmation whether officers also fired their weapons throughout the confrontation.

Top Officer Recounts Alarming Event

Mal Lanyon, the NSW Police Commissioner said officers' body cameras showed how close officers came to being hit as they took cover during the “serious and terrifying incident”.

“It's possible to hear numerous gunshots, along with definite impacts, nearby the recording device,” Lanyon stated to 2GB radio in Sydney during Monday.

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

The reason behind the shooting remains under investigation though Lanyon stated there was no known link with terrorist or gang-related actions.

Harm and Fallout

Ambulance crews cared for 16 people at the scene for minor injuries.

• A number sustained injuries from broken glass after their vehicle windows were shot.
• Some received treatment for shock.

Several individuals were transported to the hospital after being treated by paramedics.

A taxi operator aged in his fifties was critically but steadily positioned suffering from injuries to his neck and head.

Exceptional Occurrence for Sydney

Fortune played a role that further casualties were avoided, Acting Assistant Commissioner Trent King stated.

“It’s unprecedented for Sydney to witness an occurrence of this kind, featuring a significant quantity of discharged rounds,” he informed ABC radio on Monday morning.

“It is very fortunate that we didn’t have more damage and undoubtedly more injuries or even deaths.”

King said it likely was alarming for the general public and the police who responded.

“It can be stated that the responding police came under gunfire. 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 in Bankstown hospital and was slated for questioning and officially charged during Monday.

Guns, such as a large-caliber rifle, were taken into custody upon his detention, police alleged.

Witness 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”.

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

“And I didn’t realise there was actually a hole on the roof as well. I detected the scent of gunpowder, though I thought since it was the night of the NRL grand final, [it was] somebody throwing firecrackers or something.”