Sydney remains on edge after a series of violent incidents, including a public shooting in the city’s north-west and a separate case in which a man allegedly sprayed up to 100 bullets into a busy street.
Just a day after 60-year-old Artemios Mintzas faced court accused of unleashing a hail of gunfire in Croydon Park, Suman Mokhtarian, 33, was killed in Riverstone around 6pm on Wednesday.
Mixed martial artists are paying tribute to the former UFC fighter shot dead in what police are treating a targeted attack.
Emergency services found the victim with gunshot wounds, but despite desperate efforts by paramedics, he died at the scene. The man has yet to be formally identified.
Within minutes, firefighters were called to a car blaze just a few hundred metres away at 6.15pm. The vehicle was completely destroyed. Police have not confirmed whether the two incidents are linked, but a second crime scene has been established and investigations are ongoing.
The fatal Riverstone shooting follows a weekend of chaos in Sydney’s inner west, where Mintzas allegedly opened fire from the window of a unit above a shop during a two-hour standoff with police.
The alleged gunman is accused of shooting at NSW Police officers and civilians, injuring 16 people – many from shattered glass – and leaving bullet holes scattered across nearby cars and buildings.
Mintzas was arrested after tactical officers stormed the unit, where they allegedly seized a rifle and ammunition. He was later charged with 25 offences, including 18 counts of shooting with intent to murder, and remains in custody.
In Burwood Local Court on Tuesday, tensions flared between two lawyers competing to represent him. Magistrate Jennifer Price told one to “lower the aggro” after heated exchanges. Mintzas, appearing with swollen red eyes and in handcuffs, confirmed he wished to be represented by barrister Dymphna Hawkins.
Mintzas did not apply for bail and will return to court on December 3.
Meanwhile, police continue to investigate whether Sydney’s latest fatal shooting in Riverstone may be connected to any broader pattern of violence across the city.
Source: AAP
