Sydney pub shooting update: Police investigate suspicious vehicle linked to fatal Forest Lodge attack

West Australian

19 hours ago

Police in Sydney's west have found a burnt-out Mustang that matches the description of a vehicle seen near a shooting incident that left one man dead and another seriously injured as they were leaving an Inner West pub.
Emergency services were called to Primrose Avenue in Rydalmere shortly before 9.50pm on Monday night following reports of a car on fire.
Firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze, and no injuries have been reported in connection with the fire.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the suspicious vehicle fire and are also examining possible links between the burnt Mustang and a shooting that occurred outside The Harold Park Hotel in Forest Lodge on Sunday.
'Any links to recent incidents will be examined as part of the investigation, though none have been confirmed at this stage,' a NSW Police spokesperson said.
The shooting outside the pub tragically claimed the life of 39-year-old Gilbert Shino. His companion, 31-year-old Maradona Yalda, was seriously wounded after a gunman opened fire on them as they made their way to their car.
Yalda had recently returned to Australia just four days prior to the attack, despite being aware of a contract reportedly placed on his life. He was pursued and shot several times but survived thanks to the prompt assistance of medical students who were inside the hotel.
The two men shot were walking to a car about 100m from the hotel when they were attacked.
'As they got closer to the vehicle they appear to have been ambushed,'Detective Superintendent Alf Sergi told 2GB Radio on Monday.
'It was outrageous, a brazen and callous attack.'
A bullet narrowly missed a woman working at the hotel.
'It would have been very, very frightening for them.'
Medical students and a nurse at the pub helped provide treatment, as well as a doctor who lived nearby, Det Supt Sergi said.
The 31-year-old, who survived despite being shot multiple times, is believed to be linked to organised crime.
'We believe it was a targeted attack, based on one of the victim's backgrounds, with possible links to organised criminal networks,' Det Supt Sergi said.
'He was chased by the offender. He was shot a number of times. He slumped at the back of the hotel.'
Following two surgeries, Yalda is currently in stable condition. He is known to have close associations with former Comanchero bikie Andre Kallita and is allegedly linked to the Assyrian street gang DLASTHR.
Detectives described the shooting as 'brazen and callous,' noting that bullets were fired indiscriminately across the busy street, narrowly missing pub staff and patrons.
It is the 13th public shooting - and 4th fatal attack - in Sydney since Christmas.
Not all victims have had underworld links - plumber John Versace was executed in his driveway in Condell Park in a case of mistaken identity.
As investigations continue, police are urging anyone with information or dashcam footage related to the incident to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
- with AAP