Man Detained After No Fewer Than 50 Shots Discharged from Croydon Park Home

A man in his sixties is now in police custody following at least one person was shot, numerous people injured and multiple cars fired upon by an armed individual in the Croydon Park area.

As many as 100 bullets were fired during a two-hour period starting at 7:45 PM and ending around 9:30 PM on Sunday in the suburb of Croydon Park.

Authorities Begin Substantial Action

Streets were closed and the area was placed in lockdown after authorities initiated a large-scale response after reports a suspect was haphazardly discharging a weapon in the direction of passing vehicles, encompassing law enforcement automobiles, moving along Georges River Road.

The tactical operations squad were summoned to detain an individual in his sixties from a unit above a business along the busy road.

Officials Give Details

Acting Superintendent Stephen Parry told reporters late Sunday precise figures were not available about the precise count of bullets let off “but there could have been somewhere from 50 to 100 rounds that were fired”.

He said several automobiles and properties were hit by bullets and incurred damage over the course of the occurrence, though a more detailed understanding could be obtained during daylight hours.

Parry stated the area was made safe “relatively swiftly” and praised the officers involved.

“They showed remarkable valor by carrying out their duties,” he told reporters during a press briefing held late at night.

“They were under swift shooting during several instances and ought to be praised for what they did.”

He could not verify whether officers also fired their weapons during the standoff.

Top Officer Details Terrifying Situation

Mal Lanyon, the NSW Police Commissioner remarked body-worn cameras from police demonstrated the proximity of officers to being struck as they took cover throughout the "grave and frightening event".

“It's possible to hear a multitude of firearm discharges, and certainly impact, not too far from the camera,” Lanyon informed Sydney radio 2GB during Monday.

A police member targeted by gunfire had just graduated from the academy for five weeks, Lanyon noted.

The reason behind the shooting remains under investigation but Lanyon said no association was found to acts of terrorism or organized crime.

Injuries and Consequences

Ambulance crews cared for sixteen individuals on site for minor injuries.

• Certain individuals were hurt due to flying glass fragments as their windows were hit by the bullets.
• A few were attended to for shock.

A group of persons were taken to hospital after being treated by paramedics.

A taxi operator in his 50s was in a serious but stable condition suffering from injuries to his neck and head.

Rare Occurrence for the City

It was a matter of luck that more people weren’t hurt, the acting assistant commissioner Trent King commented.

“This is unheard of in Sydney to witness an occurrence of this kind, involving such an extensive volume of gunfire,” he told ABC radio on Monday morning.

“It is very fortunate that further destruction was avoided and certainly more injuries or indeed fatalities.”

King said it likely was alarming for residents and bystanders and responding police officers.

“To clarify those initial police were fired upon. Our police cars have been damaged and we are extremely lucky that all police emerged unharmed.”

Arrested Individual in Custody

The male suspect aged 60 remained in police custody within a Bankstown medical facility and was slated for questioning and formally accused on Monday.

Weapons, among them a high-caliber rifle, were taken into custody upon his detention, authorities claimed.

Eyewitness Testimony

One eyewitness to the shooting informed the ABC he was traveling nearby and “heard a bang, bang, bang on the left side of the car, the taxi”.

“And then I looked next to me, and I noticed several holes through the window right next to – on the passenger side,” he stated.

“It escaped my notice there was actually a hole on the roof as well. And I smelled the gunpowder, however, I presumed as it coincided with the NRL grand final evening, [it was] somebody throwing firecrackers or something.”