A man is in custody after allegedly firing up to 100 bullets on a busy street in Sydney’s Inner West, injuring 20 people on Sunday evening (5thof October ). Police have ruled out any links to terrorism or gang activity.
According to witnesses, the gunman opened fire at random, targeting passing cars and even police. Office worker Joe Azar, who was nearby, said he initially thought he was hearing fireworks until he saw a car windshield shatter and glass explode from a bus stop. “It was frantic. It all happened so quickly, I couldn’t comprehend what was going on,” he said.
New South Wales Police Acting Superintendent Stephen Parry confirmed that between 50 and 100 shots were fired. A large number of officers responded to the scene, locking down the area before arresting a 60-year-old man inside a unit above a business. Two rifles were seized, and the suspect was later treated in hospital for injuries sustained during his arrest.
One man is in serious condition after suffering a gunshot wound, while 19 others were treated for injuries caused by shrapnel and shattered glass.
Describing the incident as “serious and terrifying,” NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said the motive remains unknown. “There are no known links to terrorism or any gang activity,” he confirmed.
Witnesses described the scene as chaotic and “something out of a movie,” with flashes, smoke, and loud gunfire echoing through the street.
Mass shootings are rare in Australia, where strict gun laws have been in place since 1996 following the Port Arthur massacre. However, recent incidents — including the 2022 Wieambilla shooting and the ongoing manhunt for accused killer Dezi Freeman — have reignited national discussions about gun violence and public safety.
