Police are investigating the recent triple shooting at a kebab shop in Auburn and believe that the shooting may be linked to an ongoing conflict between organised crime networks.
Two masked men entered the kebab shop and fired 8 gunshots. Three people were wounded, including a 47-year-old employee of the store who was not a target of the shooting. She was caught in the crossfire and sustained two gunshots to the torso. Fortunately, the innocent woman survived after being assisted by her employer and treated in hospital.
A 26-year-old man, who Police believe was the target of the shooting and who is reported to have survived three prior attempts on his life, was shot in the shoulder and arm but fortunately survived with his life.
A 25-year-old associate of the targeted man was also shot, sustaining a gunshot to his face. Fortunately, he too survived.
POLICE BELIEVE PEOPLE BEING RECRUITED VIA ENCRYPTION TO COMMIT CRIME
Detective Superintendent Jason Box claims that police are of the belief that it is a common method for people to be “recruited by encrypted devices, social media and word of mouth to commit these offences.” He also expressed the view that some of the offenders have no connection to crime until they commit the actual offences that they had been recruited to commit.
It has been reported that detectives were probing whether the gunmen who committed the kebab store shooting were hired through what is referred to as ‘air-tasking’, which involves ‘contract killing’ published on social media apps such as Threema or WhatsApp, where people then pick up the job for a specific price.
The Daily Telegraph’s Crime Editor Mark Morri suggests that these days traditional hardened criminals are often not the ones carrying out the attacks, with “anybody who’s willing to shoot for money” hired for the job.
Adrian Leiva, a lecturer of policing at Western Sydney University is of the view that young men are being hired to commit the assassinations, young men who perhaps have never held a gun in their lives. He referred to underworld hits of recent times as being sloppier and more unsophisticated than they once were.
These developments may pose more danger to innocent people who are not the intended targets, although Dr Leiva reassures that “the likelihood of being shot or killed in a public display shooting linked to organised crime is very low.”
NSW PREMIER REJECTS SUGGESTIONS OF LOSING CONTROL OF STREETS
NSW Premier The Honourable Chris Minns MP rejected suggestions that authorities are losing control of the streets, stating that 20 of the 25 organised crime-related murders in NSW since 2021 had resulted in arrests.
“That history proves you’ll be caught and, if you’re caught, the full force of the law will apply to you,” the Premier warned.
The Premier referred to the kebab store shooting as being shockingly brazen and advised that NSW Police Force investigators are hunting down the people responsible.
TASK FORCE FALCON
The kebab store shooting was referred to Taskforce Falcon, which was established to investigate and suppress violent crime in the Sydney metropolitan area.
The taskforce is led by State Crime Command, with support from the NSW Crime Commission and regional officers. It oversees a number of investigations into public place shootings, arson attacks and kidnappings which date back to December 2024.
Further to examining potential links between incidents of crime, the taskforce is responsible for suppressing and disrupting criminal groups and individuals believed to be involved in the violence.
NSW Police and Counter-terrorism Minister, The Honourable Yasmin Catley MP stated “To those contemplating taking part in this vicious criminality, our police are coming to get you.”
HAVE YOU BEEN ARRESTED OR ACCUSED OF A CRIME?
If you or anyone you know have been accused or charged with a criminal offence, contact our expert criminal lawyers at Criminal Lawyers Group immediately for a free consultation so that we may secure the best outcome for you.
Our award-winning team of criminal law experts are nationally recognised for securing bail and obtaining not guilty verdicts, the withdrawal of charges and the avoidance of prison sentences for our clients across NSW who have been charged with criminal offences.