Dramatic CCTV shows gunmen open fire in Sydney restaurant
Pointing to a bullet hole on the counter top, Rahimi said he hadn't realised shots had been fired so close to where he and his staff were working.
'I didn't even see this bullet coming,' he told Nine News.
During the shooting, Rahimi ran to the aid of his staff member, who was shot twice in the torso, applying pressure to her wounds while they waited for ambulances to arrive.
Rahimi said the 47-year-old mother has worked at the store for a couple of years, adding she was 'very hard-working, very honest, very nice lady'.
'My staff is my first priority now, so I just hope she's doing all right, and we will support her [with] anything we can,' he said.
'She doesn't deserve it, to get shot.'
A major manhunt continued on Tuesday for the shooters, with investigators probing three suspicious car blazes on Monday night as part of their inquiries.
A black Audi Q7, believed to be the gunmen's getaway vehicle, was found alight on Wigram Street in Harris Park just before 6pm.
Police believe the second vehicle found ablaze about 3.20am, a white ute in Greystanes, was used in another planned attack on Azari on June 13 in Rozelle.
'We believe [the incident] was another attempted attack on the 26-year-old male from the shooting yesterday,' Detective Superintendent Jason Box, the commander of Taskforce Falcon, said at a press conference.
'On this occasion, witnesses sighted a white ute with several occupants and their faces covered, and one occupant was believed to be holding a firearm. The 26-year-old male and his associates fled the scene.'
The 25-year-old associate who was shot on Monday, and remains in hospital in a critical but stable condition, was also present during the June 13 planned attack.
When police attended the Rozelle scene a short time later, Azari provided 'limited information' about the attempt on his life.
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'He was made aware of threats against his life. He acknowledged those threats against his life, to an extent, he was reasonably dismissive of what we had to say, and he's obviously continued his movements in the public area with not a great deal of concern,' Box said.
Police are still investigating whether a third vehicle that was set ablaze overnight, a red Commodore found outside a home in Merrylands, is connected to the attempts on Azari's life.
Police allege Azari has climbed the ranks of the Alameddine network to become one of its most senior members not to have fled overseas or be serving a lengthy prison sentence.
Investigators from Taskforce Falcon, established to crack down on escalating gangland violence, are probing whether Monday's shooters are the same men who opened fire on Azari last month on Woodville Road in Granville, killing Alameddine associate Dawood Zakaria, 32, and injuring Parramatta lawyer Sylvan Singh, 25. Zakaria died in hospital several days later.
A day after the assassination attempt, police warned Azari was at the 'epicentre' of an ongoing feud between the Alameddine clan and rival organised crime networks, and that he could be targeted as part of a 'tit-for-tat' gangland war if granted bail on firearms offences laid after the Granville shooting.
'There will be further bloodshed on the streets – the streets will not be safe,' police prosecutor Kai Jiang told Parramatta Local Court, in the failed attempt to keep Azari in custody.
Acting Police Commissioner Peter Thurtell on Monday said police held concerns a 'war' within the Alameddine network had imploded and spilled onto Sydney's streets.
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Multiple police sources not authorised to speak publicly say internal conflict between subgroups of the Alameddine crime network is to blame for the spate of shootings.
With no clear leader in the wake of kingpin Rafat Alameddine leaving Australia, tensions have risen between the Fijian-dominated KVT – a group who were previously used by the Alameddines as enforcers – and the so-called Afghani crew, as well as gang members aligned with other senior members of the crime group.
The ongoing conflict and recent shootings have sparked fears of attacks in the underworld, with several Alameddine members and associates taking measures to make themselves less predictable.
NSW Premier Chris Minns labelled the shooting labelled 'shockingly brazen'.
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Sydney Morning Herald
a day ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Dramatic CCTV shows gunmen open fire in Sydney restaurant
Pointing to a bullet hole on the counter top, Rahimi said he hadn't realised shots had been fired so close to where he and his staff were working. 'I didn't even see this bullet coming,' he told Nine News. During the shooting, Rahimi ran to the aid of his staff member, who was shot twice in the torso, applying pressure to her wounds while they waited for ambulances to arrive. Rahimi said the 47-year-old mother has worked at the store for a couple of years, adding she was 'very hard-working, very honest, very nice lady'. 'My staff is my first priority now, so I just hope she's doing all right, and we will support her [with] anything we can,' he said. 'She doesn't deserve it, to get shot.' A major manhunt continued on Tuesday for the shooters, with investigators probing three suspicious car blazes on Monday night as part of their inquiries. A black Audi Q7, believed to be the gunmen's getaway vehicle, was found alight on Wigram Street in Harris Park just before 6pm. Police believe the second vehicle found ablaze about 3.20am, a white ute in Greystanes, was used in another planned attack on Azari on June 13 in Rozelle. 'We believe [the incident] was another attempted attack on the 26-year-old male from the shooting yesterday,' Detective Superintendent Jason Box, the commander of Taskforce Falcon, said at a press conference. 'On this occasion, witnesses sighted a white ute with several occupants and their faces covered, and one occupant was believed to be holding a firearm. The 26-year-old male and his associates fled the scene.' The 25-year-old associate who was shot on Monday, and remains in hospital in a critical but stable condition, was also present during the June 13 planned attack. When police attended the Rozelle scene a short time later, Azari provided 'limited information' about the attempt on his life. Loading 'He was made aware of threats against his life. He acknowledged those threats against his life, to an extent, he was reasonably dismissive of what we had to say, and he's obviously continued his movements in the public area with not a great deal of concern,' Box said. Police are still investigating whether a third vehicle that was set ablaze overnight, a red Commodore found outside a home in Merrylands, is connected to the attempts on Azari's life. Police allege Azari has climbed the ranks of the Alameddine network to become one of its most senior members not to have fled overseas or be serving a lengthy prison sentence. Investigators from Taskforce Falcon, established to crack down on escalating gangland violence, are probing whether Monday's shooters are the same men who opened fire on Azari last month on Woodville Road in Granville, killing Alameddine associate Dawood Zakaria, 32, and injuring Parramatta lawyer Sylvan Singh, 25. Zakaria died in hospital several days later. A day after the assassination attempt, police warned Azari was at the 'epicentre' of an ongoing feud between the Alameddine clan and rival organised crime networks, and that he could be targeted as part of a 'tit-for-tat' gangland war if granted bail on firearms offences laid after the Granville shooting. 'There will be further bloodshed on the streets – the streets will not be safe,' police prosecutor Kai Jiang told Parramatta Local Court, in the failed attempt to keep Azari in custody. Acting Police Commissioner Peter Thurtell on Monday said police held concerns a 'war' within the Alameddine network had imploded and spilled onto Sydney's streets. Loading Multiple police sources not authorised to speak publicly say internal conflict between subgroups of the Alameddine crime network is to blame for the spate of shootings. With no clear leader in the wake of kingpin Rafat Alameddine leaving Australia, tensions have risen between the Fijian-dominated KVT – a group who were previously used by the Alameddines as enforcers – and the so-called Afghani crew, as well as gang members aligned with other senior members of the crime group. The ongoing conflict and recent shootings have sparked fears of attacks in the underworld, with several Alameddine members and associates taking measures to make themselves less predictable. NSW Premier Chris Minns labelled the shooting labelled 'shockingly brazen'.
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- The Advertiser
Kebab shop shooting continues state's 'violent chapter'
A triple shooting at a suburban restaurant has prompted an attorney-general to review a bail decision for the target of the attack amid fears of escalating gangland violence. A 26-year-old man, identified in media reports as senior Alameddine criminal network member Samimjam Azari, is in a stable condition after the latest attempt on his life. He is expected to recover fully after being shot in the arm and shoulder at a western Sydney eatery. A 25-year-old man accompanying him was shot in the head and is in a critical but stable condition, while a 47-year-old woman who worked at the restaurant is stable after being shot in the torso and arm. The trio were injured when gunmen struck an Auburn kebab shop in the eighth Sydney shooting in six weeks, marking an escalation in the city's gangland wars. The shop was closed on Tuesday afternoon while neighbouring businesses contended with a busy afternoon trade. More than 150 police have been knocking on doors to check bail compliance, search for guns and warn other potential targets as part of a task force established after a shooting in May. "We're doing absolutely everything we can to ensure that this does not happen again," Detective Superintendent Jason Box told reporters. The "saturation" of police in the area may have put criminals on edge and led to the delay between the shooting and a series of fires involving cars believed to be linked to the attack, Det Supt Box said. It was also evident when riot police were among those responding to reports of a brawl involving schoolchildren near the scene of the shooting on Tuesday afternoon. Azari was "reasonably dismissive" when police earlier warned him of threats to his life. "I'm hoping that this individual reassesses his movements," Det Supt Box said. He had reported to police on bail an hour before the shooting on Monday. Two cars were found alight about 3.15am on Tuesday in Merrylands and Greystanes, not far from the kebab shop, with residents helping police extinguish one vehicle. A black Audi - believed to be a getaway vehicle after the shooting - was earlier found alight about 6pm on Monday at Harris Park. A white ute found alight on Tuesday morning was allegedly carrying masked and armed men targeting Azari on Friday. He also survived other recent shootings at Granville and Brighton-Le-Sands. Police expressed concerns of further violence when asking for Azari to be refused bail and will continue to do so for other alleged criminals believed to be linked to organised crime. "We'll be putting forward our concerns for these people not to be on the streets and it's quite obvious that they shouldn't be," Det Supt Box said. Premier Chris Minns told reporters Attorney-General Michael Daley was looking at the transcript of the court's decision to grant Azari bail. The government has tightened bail laws for certain offences in the past and would consider doing so again, but police had all the resources required to catch "these animals". "Their disregard for human life, their disregard for the laws that we have in Australia, is horrifying," Mr Minns said. "This is a horrifying, violent chapter in the state's history and it needs to be met with the full force of the law." A triple shooting at a suburban restaurant has prompted an attorney-general to review a bail decision for the target of the attack amid fears of escalating gangland violence. A 26-year-old man, identified in media reports as senior Alameddine criminal network member Samimjam Azari, is in a stable condition after the latest attempt on his life. He is expected to recover fully after being shot in the arm and shoulder at a western Sydney eatery. A 25-year-old man accompanying him was shot in the head and is in a critical but stable condition, while a 47-year-old woman who worked at the restaurant is stable after being shot in the torso and arm. The trio were injured when gunmen struck an Auburn kebab shop in the eighth Sydney shooting in six weeks, marking an escalation in the city's gangland wars. The shop was closed on Tuesday afternoon while neighbouring businesses contended with a busy afternoon trade. More than 150 police have been knocking on doors to check bail compliance, search for guns and warn other potential targets as part of a task force established after a shooting in May. "We're doing absolutely everything we can to ensure that this does not happen again," Detective Superintendent Jason Box told reporters. The "saturation" of police in the area may have put criminals on edge and led to the delay between the shooting and a series of fires involving cars believed to be linked to the attack, Det Supt Box said. It was also evident when riot police were among those responding to reports of a brawl involving schoolchildren near the scene of the shooting on Tuesday afternoon. Azari was "reasonably dismissive" when police earlier warned him of threats to his life. "I'm hoping that this individual reassesses his movements," Det Supt Box said. He had reported to police on bail an hour before the shooting on Monday. Two cars were found alight about 3.15am on Tuesday in Merrylands and Greystanes, not far from the kebab shop, with residents helping police extinguish one vehicle. A black Audi - believed to be a getaway vehicle after the shooting - was earlier found alight about 6pm on Monday at Harris Park. A white ute found alight on Tuesday morning was allegedly carrying masked and armed men targeting Azari on Friday. He also survived other recent shootings at Granville and Brighton-Le-Sands. Police expressed concerns of further violence when asking for Azari to be refused bail and will continue to do so for other alleged criminals believed to be linked to organised crime. "We'll be putting forward our concerns for these people not to be on the streets and it's quite obvious that they shouldn't be," Det Supt Box said. Premier Chris Minns told reporters Attorney-General Michael Daley was looking at the transcript of the court's decision to grant Azari bail. The government has tightened bail laws for certain offences in the past and would consider doing so again, but police had all the resources required to catch "these animals". "Their disregard for human life, their disregard for the laws that we have in Australia, is horrifying," Mr Minns said. "This is a horrifying, violent chapter in the state's history and it needs to be met with the full force of the law." A triple shooting at a suburban restaurant has prompted an attorney-general to review a bail decision for the target of the attack amid fears of escalating gangland violence. A 26-year-old man, identified in media reports as senior Alameddine criminal network member Samimjam Azari, is in a stable condition after the latest attempt on his life. He is expected to recover fully after being shot in the arm and shoulder at a western Sydney eatery. A 25-year-old man accompanying him was shot in the head and is in a critical but stable condition, while a 47-year-old woman who worked at the restaurant is stable after being shot in the torso and arm. The trio were injured when gunmen struck an Auburn kebab shop in the eighth Sydney shooting in six weeks, marking an escalation in the city's gangland wars. The shop was closed on Tuesday afternoon while neighbouring businesses contended with a busy afternoon trade. More than 150 police have been knocking on doors to check bail compliance, search for guns and warn other potential targets as part of a task force established after a shooting in May. "We're doing absolutely everything we can to ensure that this does not happen again," Detective Superintendent Jason Box told reporters. The "saturation" of police in the area may have put criminals on edge and led to the delay between the shooting and a series of fires involving cars believed to be linked to the attack, Det Supt Box said. It was also evident when riot police were among those responding to reports of a brawl involving schoolchildren near the scene of the shooting on Tuesday afternoon. Azari was "reasonably dismissive" when police earlier warned him of threats to his life. "I'm hoping that this individual reassesses his movements," Det Supt Box said. He had reported to police on bail an hour before the shooting on Monday. Two cars were found alight about 3.15am on Tuesday in Merrylands and Greystanes, not far from the kebab shop, with residents helping police extinguish one vehicle. A black Audi - believed to be a getaway vehicle after the shooting - was earlier found alight about 6pm on Monday at Harris Park. A white ute found alight on Tuesday morning was allegedly carrying masked and armed men targeting Azari on Friday. He also survived other recent shootings at Granville and Brighton-Le-Sands. Police expressed concerns of further violence when asking for Azari to be refused bail and will continue to do so for other alleged criminals believed to be linked to organised crime. "We'll be putting forward our concerns for these people not to be on the streets and it's quite obvious that they shouldn't be," Det Supt Box said. Premier Chris Minns told reporters Attorney-General Michael Daley was looking at the transcript of the court's decision to grant Azari bail. The government has tightened bail laws for certain offences in the past and would consider doing so again, but police had all the resources required to catch "these animals". "Their disregard for human life, their disregard for the laws that we have in Australia, is horrifying," Mr Minns said. "This is a horrifying, violent chapter in the state's history and it needs to be met with the full force of the law." A triple shooting at a suburban restaurant has prompted an attorney-general to review a bail decision for the target of the attack amid fears of escalating gangland violence. A 26-year-old man, identified in media reports as senior Alameddine criminal network member Samimjam Azari, is in a stable condition after the latest attempt on his life. He is expected to recover fully after being shot in the arm and shoulder at a western Sydney eatery. A 25-year-old man accompanying him was shot in the head and is in a critical but stable condition, while a 47-year-old woman who worked at the restaurant is stable after being shot in the torso and arm. The trio were injured when gunmen struck an Auburn kebab shop in the eighth Sydney shooting in six weeks, marking an escalation in the city's gangland wars. The shop was closed on Tuesday afternoon while neighbouring businesses contended with a busy afternoon trade. More than 150 police have been knocking on doors to check bail compliance, search for guns and warn other potential targets as part of a task force established after a shooting in May. "We're doing absolutely everything we can to ensure that this does not happen again," Detective Superintendent Jason Box told reporters. The "saturation" of police in the area may have put criminals on edge and led to the delay between the shooting and a series of fires involving cars believed to be linked to the attack, Det Supt Box said. It was also evident when riot police were among those responding to reports of a brawl involving schoolchildren near the scene of the shooting on Tuesday afternoon. Azari was "reasonably dismissive" when police earlier warned him of threats to his life. "I'm hoping that this individual reassesses his movements," Det Supt Box said. He had reported to police on bail an hour before the shooting on Monday. Two cars were found alight about 3.15am on Tuesday in Merrylands and Greystanes, not far from the kebab shop, with residents helping police extinguish one vehicle. A black Audi - believed to be a getaway vehicle after the shooting - was earlier found alight about 6pm on Monday at Harris Park. A white ute found alight on Tuesday morning was allegedly carrying masked and armed men targeting Azari on Friday. He also survived other recent shootings at Granville and Brighton-Le-Sands. Police expressed concerns of further violence when asking for Azari to be refused bail and will continue to do so for other alleged criminals believed to be linked to organised crime. "We'll be putting forward our concerns for these people not to be on the streets and it's quite obvious that they shouldn't be," Det Supt Box said. Premier Chris Minns told reporters Attorney-General Michael Daley was looking at the transcript of the court's decision to grant Azari bail. The government has tightened bail laws for certain offences in the past and would consider doing so again, but police had all the resources required to catch "these animals". "Their disregard for human life, their disregard for the laws that we have in Australia, is horrifying," Mr Minns said. "This is a horrifying, violent chapter in the state's history and it needs to be met with the full force of the law."
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- The Advertiser
Man charged after car speeds through crash scene, narrowly misses cop
Police have charged an 18-year-old man after he allegedly sped through a police roadblock at a fatal crash scene. Emergency services blocked the road following a head-on collision between a white Mazda 3 and a white Kia Seltos at Ipswich in Queensland at 8.40pm on June 14. Around 1.40am, the man allegedly drove a black Holden Commodore ute through the roadblock. Police allege he then continued to drive directly through the crash scene, narrowly missing police officers, before he left the area. After investigations, police attended a property on Rowland Terrace, Coalfall, on June 15, where they located the Commodore and arrested the man. He has been charged with driving a motor vehicle without a driver's licence, driving without a licence plate attached and endangering police officer when driving a motor vehicle. He was remanded in custody on June 17 and is due to face Ipswich Magistrates Court on June 18. The driver and sole occupant of the Mazda, an 18-year-old man, died at the scene of the fatal crash, and the female driver of the Kia, 24, was transported to the Princess Alexandra Hospital. READ MORE: 'Miracle' claims as car ploughs into church, narrowly missing parishioners Police have charged an 18-year-old man after he allegedly sped through a police roadblock at a fatal crash scene. Emergency services blocked the road following a head-on collision between a white Mazda 3 and a white Kia Seltos at Ipswich in Queensland at 8.40pm on June 14. Around 1.40am, the man allegedly drove a black Holden Commodore ute through the roadblock. Police allege he then continued to drive directly through the crash scene, narrowly missing police officers, before he left the area. After investigations, police attended a property on Rowland Terrace, Coalfall, on June 15, where they located the Commodore and arrested the man. He has been charged with driving a motor vehicle without a driver's licence, driving without a licence plate attached and endangering police officer when driving a motor vehicle. He was remanded in custody on June 17 and is due to face Ipswich Magistrates Court on June 18. The driver and sole occupant of the Mazda, an 18-year-old man, died at the scene of the fatal crash, and the female driver of the Kia, 24, was transported to the Princess Alexandra Hospital. READ MORE: 'Miracle' claims as car ploughs into church, narrowly missing parishioners Police have charged an 18-year-old man after he allegedly sped through a police roadblock at a fatal crash scene. Emergency services blocked the road following a head-on collision between a white Mazda 3 and a white Kia Seltos at Ipswich in Queensland at 8.40pm on June 14. Around 1.40am, the man allegedly drove a black Holden Commodore ute through the roadblock. Police allege he then continued to drive directly through the crash scene, narrowly missing police officers, before he left the area. After investigations, police attended a property on Rowland Terrace, Coalfall, on June 15, where they located the Commodore and arrested the man. He has been charged with driving a motor vehicle without a driver's licence, driving without a licence plate attached and endangering police officer when driving a motor vehicle. He was remanded in custody on June 17 and is due to face Ipswich Magistrates Court on June 18. The driver and sole occupant of the Mazda, an 18-year-old man, died at the scene of the fatal crash, and the female driver of the Kia, 24, was transported to the Princess Alexandra Hospital. READ MORE: 'Miracle' claims as car ploughs into church, narrowly missing parishioners Police have charged an 18-year-old man after he allegedly sped through a police roadblock at a fatal crash scene. Emergency services blocked the road following a head-on collision between a white Mazda 3 and a white Kia Seltos at Ipswich in Queensland at 8.40pm on June 14. Around 1.40am, the man allegedly drove a black Holden Commodore ute through the roadblock. Police allege he then continued to drive directly through the crash scene, narrowly missing police officers, before he left the area. After investigations, police attended a property on Rowland Terrace, Coalfall, on June 15, where they located the Commodore and arrested the man. He has been charged with driving a motor vehicle without a driver's licence, driving without a licence plate attached and endangering police officer when driving a motor vehicle. He was remanded in custody on June 17 and is due to face Ipswich Magistrates Court on June 18. The driver and sole occupant of the Mazda, an 18-year-old man, died at the scene of the fatal crash, and the female driver of the Kia, 24, was transported to the Princess Alexandra Hospital. READ MORE: 'Miracle' claims as car ploughs into church, narrowly missing parishioners
