6 Oct 2025

At least 16 hurt as gunman fires 100 shots 'indiscriminately' from window in Sydney

10:49 am on 6 October 2025

By Tessa Flemming and Jean Kennedy, ABC News

A police operation taking place in the inner-west Sydney suburb of Croydon Park.

A police operation taking place in the inner-west Sydney suburb of Croydon Park. Photo: ABC News

A man has been arrested after a number of shots were fired in the inner-west Sydney suburb of Croydon Park, leaving one man in a critical condition.

Police arrived on the scene around 7.45pm (local time) following reports of a person shooting from the window of a residential premise.

Acting Superintendent Stephen Parry said the alleged gunman was "firing indiscriminately at passing vehicles including police vehicles."

He told reporters it is unclear exactly how many shots were fired "but there could have been anywhere between 50 and 100 shots that have been discharged".

Armed police attend the incident in Sydney's inner-west on Sunday 5 October 2025

Armed police attend the incident in Sydney's inner-west on Sunday. Photo: ABC News

One person shot - a man in his 50s - was transported to hospital in a critical condition with chest and neck wounds, NSW Ambulance Superintendent John Millevoi said.

He will undergo emergency surgery.

Another three people arrived at Campsie Police Station with minor injuries from shattered glass.

Fifteen people were also treated on scene for shock and minor injuries, Superintendent Millevoi added.

Man, 60, arrested and high-calibre rifle seized

Police retreated from the "active shooter" scene and called in specialist police resources, with a command post set up nearby, Acting Superintendent Parry told media.

He said police then executed a tactical plan to arrest the alleged shooter.

About 9.30pm,a 60-year-old man was arrested on Georges River Road, with police seizing a long-arm high-calibre rifle.

The arrested man also suffered minor injuries and was currently in hospital, Acting Superintendent Parry said.

He added that police believed all the victims were unknown to the alleged offender.

Police cars line the street in Sydney's Croydon Park as the shooting unfolded on Sunday 5 October 2025

Police cars line the street in Sydney's Croydon Park as the shooting unfolded on Sunday 5 October 2025 Photo: ABC News

Investigations will continue Monday morning, with forensic officers currently on scene.

"There are a number of vehicles a number of premises which have sustained gunshots and damage," Acting Superintendent Parry added.

"We won't have a full clear picture of damage to premises and vehicles until probably daylight."

Earlier, tactical police could be seen driving an armoured Bearcat vehicle into the area, alongside a police helicopter.

An ABC reporter at the scene heard what appeared to be gunshots around 9pm, followed by a succession of bangs witnesses say were caused by flash grenades.

One witness said he was in the office when he heard "something like fireworks going off".

As he stepped outside, he saw the glass from a car's windshield and nearby bus stop had been shattered.

He likened the scene to a "volley of gunshots back and forth"

The window of a car was shattered during what witnesses described as a "volley of gunshots".

The window of a car was shattered during what witnesses described as a "volley of gunshots". Photo: ABC News

Acting Superintendent Parry said they secured the premises and the scene "fairly quickly" and praised the officers involved.

"They exhibited extreme levels of bravery in doing what they did," he said.

"They were under rapid fire gun shots on a number of occasions and should all be commended for their actions."

He could not say if officers at the scene also fired their weapons.

" I am not aware of that - at this stage the crime scene is still being examined."

- ABC

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