The father who allegedly randomly fired up to 50 shots from his unit window in Sydney's inner west, injuring 16 people, has been identified as 60-year-old Artemios Mintzas.
Residents were locked down as a major police operation responded to a gunman firing up to 50 shots from a 30-calibre rifle on Georges River Road, near the intersection of Brighton Avenue, in Croydon Park about 7.45pm yesterday.
Acting Superintendent Stephen Parry alleged Mintzas was firing shots "indiscriminately" at passing cars from the window of his unit above a business, injuring more than a dozen people and hitting several cars.
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There are a number of restaurants, small businesses, a church, and a vet nearby.
Mintzas allegedly exchanged fire with specialist and tactical police before they narrowed in, arresting him about 9.30pm and seizing a gun.
"Our tactical operations group are highly trained, very skilled at what they do, and they executed the plan extremely well," Parry told reporters this afternoon.
Mintzas was also taken to hospital with minor injuries after glass smashed and shattered around his eye, and has since been released.
He is currently at Burwood Police Station and is expected to be charged with firearm offences later this afternoon.
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Croydon Park remains an active crime scene today as police scour the site looking for more evidence.
"We have found a number of items at the scene which will lead us to a number of lines in inquiry," Parry said.
Investigations remain ongoing.
The public has been assured that there is no ongoing risk to their safety.
Who is the accused shooter?
Mintzas is a customer service worker for Sydney Trains.
His employment status is now under review pending the outcome of the investigation.
Parry said Mintzas is a father with very little history with police.
He said he does not have a firearms license and does not have any links to terror, organised crime or mental health issues.
"He's a 60-year-old male who does have a couple of children and has very few recorded interactions with the police over the last 20 years," he said.
Mintzas' family has been notified.
Detectives are currently questioning Mintzas to determine his motives and how he allegedly obtained the gun.
Parry said he is speaking "freely" with officers.
"My 35 years in the police, there's been very few instances of this nature where somebody is randomly targeting people in the street driving past in vehicles," he said.
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At least 16 people injured
A total of 13 cars, including two police vehicles, and a nearby bus shelter were shot at with bullets shattering through the glass.
At least 16 people suffered minor injuries.
Three people were taken to hospital, including a man who was shot in the neck while he was in the backseat of a car with his family.
His family drove him to hospital, and he has since undergone surgery.
"My understanding is that the injuries are not life-threatening and he is expected to survive thankfully," Parry said.
Two other people who were hospitalised have since been released.
No police officers were injured.
Parry said that it was "incredible" that no one was killed and, if not for the response by police, the situation could have been "a whole lot worse".
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'Bang, bang, bang': Residents and police duck for cover
Local police who were first on the scene were forced to duck for cover and call in specialist and tactical police as shots rang out on Georges River Road.
Parry said last night's operation was "highly dangerous" as police put themselves at serious risk of death or injury.
"One shot was fired through the window of one of the police cars," he said.
"If the police vehicle was occupied at the time, that police officer would have sustained fatal injuries."
Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon told 2GB earlier this morning that body-worn footage showed police officers forced to take cover as they tried to help members of the public.
One of those officers had only graduated from the academy five weeks ago, he said.
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A taxi driver who came under fire spoke to Today, saying he'd been driving when he heard a "bang, bang, bang".
"And then I looked next to me, and I saw a couple of holes through the window. How he missed me, I don't know, I'm just shocked," he said.
"It feels like it's a movie, you know what I mean? Like, I was just going home to watch the grand final, you know?"
Michele told 9News she was close to being shot.
"I came around here and then boom. I see the bullets had hit here, and the cement had actually sprayed out," she said.
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Premier says 'no place for this sort of violence' in NSW
Premier Chris Minns condemned last night's shooting, saying it has no place in NSW.
"There is no place for this sort of violence in our state," he said in a statement.
"A man has now been arrested on and remains under police guard in hospital, and I have full confidence in the NSW Police as they continue their investigation."
Minns praised the "incredible bravery" of police in what he described as a "confronting and dangerous" situation.
"I saw firsthand the composure, professionalism and courage of the officers who responded to this life-threatening incident," he said.
"Their actions under pressure reflect the very best of the NSW Police Force who put themselves in harm's way every single day to keep us all safe."
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