Lawyer and alleged gang associate gunned down
A man is fighting for his life and a solicitor is in intensive care after a gunman ambushed a ute in a busy suburb.
In the latest escalation of gangland violence in Sydney, at least one person in a Mercedes fired several rounds at a Toyota Hilux turning into a busy western Sydney road, hitting the driver and front-seat passenger.
The 32-year-old driver of the ute underwent surgery and remained in a critical condition, police said on Monday.
But he is unlikely to survive the multiple gunshot wounds, they say.
Video circulating online showed the front seat passenger, a 25-year-old lawyer, bleeding on the side of the road.
He is in a stable condition but likely not in a position to discuss the incident with detectives.
Criminal Groups Squad commander Jason Box said police believed at least seven bullets were fired during the Sunday afternoon shooting in Granville.
"From my review, it was a targeted and directed attack at these people," he told reporters on Monday.
"There's been a number of shootings recently ... our responses will not just be the shooting, but proactive in disruptive measures ... using legislation available to us ... to suppress further activity."
A large number of people were on the road at the time, Detective Superintendent Box said.
"It's a built-up area - there's always a risk of harm or injured to other persons depending how the incident goes," he said.
The shooting on Sunday evening is the third in a fortnight on Sydney's streets.
Two back-seat passengers in the ute, aged 28 and 26, escaped unscathed but were arrested for allegedly possessing unauthorised firearms.
Each was refused bail before court appearances on Monday.
The Mercedes involved in the shooting was later found burnt out in nearby Merrylands.
It might have been stolen because number plates were associated with a different vehicle, Det Supt Box said
Police are investigating potential organised crime links to both incidents under Strike Force Arrino.
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