Suspect Arrested After No Fewer Than 50 Shots Discharged from Croydon Park Residence

A 60-year-old man was taken into custody after one individual sustained a gunshot wound, multiple individuals harmed and several automobiles targeted by gunfire by an armed individual within the inner western suburbs of Sydney.

Up to 100 bullets were fired during a two-hour period between 7.45pm and 9.30pm on Sunday night within the Croydon Park locality.

Authorities Begin Major Operation

Thoroughfares were blocked and the area was placed in lockdown following the start of a significant police operation after reports a suspect was haphazardly discharging a weapon towards drivers, encompassing law enforcement automobiles, travelling along Georges River Road.

The tactical operations squad were summoned to take into custody the male suspect aged 60 from a residence located above a commercial establishment on the heavily trafficked street.

Officials Offer An Account

Acting Superintendent Stephen Parry informed the press on Sunday night precise figures were not available about the precise count of bullets let off “though estimates suggest anywhere between 50 and 100 shots that have been discharged”.

He mentioned several automobiles and properties were hit by bullets and incurred damage throughout the event, however, a fuller account could be obtained during daylight hours.

Parry stated the area was made safe “promptly” and commended the participating police.

“They demonstrated extreme levels of bravery by carrying out their duties,” he told reporters during a press briefing held late at night.

“They encountered a barrage of gunfire multiple times and deserve full recognition for what they did.”

He did not have confirmation about law enforcement returning fire throughout the confrontation.

Top Officer Describes Frightening Situation

The NSW police commissioner, Mal Lanyon remarked officers' body cameras demonstrated the proximity of officers to being struck while they sought shelter throughout the "grave and frightening event".

“One can hear a multitude of firearm discharges, and certainly impact, not too far from the camera,” Lanyon stated to Sydney radio 2GB during Monday.

One of the officers shot at had just graduated from the academy just five weeks prior, Lanyon said.

The reason behind the shooting remains under investigation however, Lanyon indicated no connection was identified to acts of terrorism or organized crime.

Casualties and Consequences

Paramedics treated sixteen individuals at the location suffering from minor wounds.

• Certain individuals were hurt by shattered glass when their windows were struck by bullets.
• A few were attended to for shock.

A number of people were admitted to medical facilities following care from ambulance crews.

A taxi driver who is in his 50s was critically but steadily positioned having sustained harm to his neck and head area.

Exceptional Occurrence for Sydney

Fortune played a role that more people weren’t hurt, the acting assistant commissioner Trent King stated.

“Such an event is rare for Sydney to experience an incident of this nature, involving such an extensive volume of gunfire,” he stated to ABC radio on Monday.

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

King said it must have been frightening for the general public and responding police officers.

“It can be stated that those initial police were fired upon. Law enforcement automobiles incurred harm and we’re very fortunate that all police emerged unharmed.”

Arrested Individual in Police Custody

The male suspect aged 60 remained in police custody in Bankstown hospital and was slated for questioning and formally charged on Monday.

Weapons, among them a high-caliber rifle, were seized during his arrest, authorities claimed.

Bystander Account

An individual who witnessed the shooting informed the ABC he was driving by and “listened to a series of bangs along the left side of the taxi”.

“Subsequently, I glanced beside me, and I saw a couple of holes in the window on the passenger side,” he mentioned.

“It escaped my notice 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.”