Australian authorities have pressed charges against a 60-year-old individual for reportedly opening fire on a bustling Sydney street, resulting in injuries to 16 individuals during a chaotic incident. The incident unfolded in Croydon Park, Inner West of the city, on Sunday evening when the alleged gunman began firing from his residence, indiscriminately targeting passing vehicles and law enforcement officers.
Responding to the scene, a significant number of police officers swiftly converged on the area, cordoning off the street before proceeding to apprehend the suspect at a property above a business. The New South Wales Police reported the seizure of a rifle and ammunition from the site.
Witness Joe Azar, an office worker in the vicinity, recounted hearing what he initially mistook for fireworks or objects hitting windows while at work across the street. Describing the unfolding events, he mentioned the sudden shattering of a car windshield and a bus stop glass, leading to a surreal realization of the situation. The swift and frantic nature of the incident left Azar struggling to comprehend the unfolding events.
Initial reports suggested that up to a hundred shots were fired, resulting in 20 casualties. However, on Monday, Acting Superintendent Stephen Parry of the New South Wales Police revised the figures to around 50 shots fired and 16 individuals wounded. Parry expressed his astonishment at the rarity of such incidents during his extensive police career.
Following his arrest, the accused shooter received medical treatment for minor injuries around his eyes and was subsequently charged with 25 offenses, including 18 counts of attempted murder through shooting, discharging a firearm in a public area, and possessing an unregistered firearm and ammunition. The suspect was denied bail and is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, as investigations by the police continue.
While one individual sought medical attention for a gunshot wound post-incident and was expected to recover, the rest of the injured parties received treatment from paramedics for minor injuries, predominantly caused by shattered glass from their vehicle windows. Despite uncertainties regarding the gunman’s motives, authorities confirmed no apparent ties to terrorist or gang activities.
Eyewitness accounts, such as that of Tadgh, recounted the surreal experience of hearing the gunshots amidst watching rugby, describing the scene as reminiscent of a movie with loud sounds, flashes, and smoke.
Australia, known for its stringent gun control measures, has experienced relatively few mass shootings, with strict regulations on automatic and semi-automatic firearms enforced since the tragic Port Arthur massacre in 1996. Recent incidents, including the manhunt for alleged gunman Dezi Freeman accused of killing two police officers and a fatal shooting near Wieambilla in Queensland earlier this year, serve as reminders of the ongoing challenges in maintaining public safety.