Man Linked to Organised Crime Killed in Brazen Shooting in Sydney CBD
A man with suspected ties to organised crime has been killed in a daylight shooting in Sydney’s CBD, with witnesses scrambling for safety as gunfire rang out in the busy area.
The incident occurred on Baptist Street in Surry Hills, near Cleveland Street, around 7:45 PM yesterday. Police were called to the scene after reports of shots fired at a service station, where the victim, a man believed to be in his 30s, was sitting in his car alone.
The victim, identified as 30-year-old Nidal Acherkouk, managed to flee the scene despite being injured, running down Cleveland Street with two armed men chasing him. Witnesses described scenes of chaos as the gunmen pursued their target.
“I was very fearful. I ducked immediately and hid below the ice cream freezer,” said witness Vishaal Bhojaani, who told 9News that the shooting continued as the attackers ran after Acherkouk. Passersby, realizing the danger, scrambled to flee, with people tripping over each other in the panic.
The pursuit ended when the gunmen eventually pulled back. Acherkouk stumbled onto Bathurst Street, where he collapsed and died from his injuries in front of shocked pub and restaurant patrons.
Superintendent Andrew Garner confirmed that Acherkouk had links to organised crime, adding that the shooting appeared to be part of a targeted attack.
In a related development, police found a Porsche set on fire at a nearby unit complex on Kensington Road in Kensington. Initial inquiries suggest the car may be linked to the shooting. The gunmen are believed to have arrived in the black Porsche just five minutes before targeting Acherkouk at the service station.
The two assailants, dressed head-to-toe in black clothing with no skin visible, are still on the run. One of the men was also wearing a plastic poncho. Police described the attack as well-planned and noted the high level of recklessness shown by the shooters, who put the public at great risk in the busy area.
“This was an outrageous incident and it demonstrated a high level of reckless indifference to the public that were around that area at the time,” Superintendent Garner said. “We are working very hard to identify and arrest those involved … we’re coming for you.”
Despite the frightening nature of the attack, police assured the public that there was no ongoing threat in the area. Investigations are continuing, and a report will be prepared for the Coroner.
Anyone with information on the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
