The alleged shooter from Sunday’s terrifying event in Sydney’s inner west has been named by the authorities as Artemios Mintzas. Investigators are still trying to work out what drove the 60-year-old man.
Mintzas has been accused of unleashing a hail of bullets onto the busy Croydon shopping strip from his apartment, forcing the Sydney suburb into an hours-long lockdown on Sunday night.
Police said it was “incredible” that no one was killed after the man allegedly unleashed a hail of bullets in Sydney’s inner west, striking cars and officers in a terrifying two-hour siege.
Mr Mintzas, who police say fired up to 100 rounds from his Croydon Park apartment, was arrested after tactical officers stormed the scene. One man, aged in his 50s, remains in hospital after being shot in the chest and neck while travelling in a passing car with family members.
“Incredibly, nobody has died or received more significant injuries,” NSW Police Acting Superintendent Stephen Parry told the media on Monday. “It’s a testament to the tactical response and swift action of our specialist officers.”
Mr Mintzas, who police say fired up to 100 rounds from his Croydon Park apartment, was arrested after tactical officers stormed the scene. One man, aged in his 50s, remains in hospital after being shot in the chest and neck while travelling in a passing car with family members
Authorities say up to 13 vehicles were riddled with bullets, including a police car that was hit through the window. “Had that vehicle been occupied, there’s little doubt the officer would have been killed,” Parry said.
The siege began around 8 pm when residents reported gunfire near the Croydon Park shopping strip. Officers locked down a 300-metre area and enacted a Special Tactical Plan. Police say there was an exchange of gunfire before Mr Mintzas was taken into custody about two hours later.
Mr Mintzas, who lives alone and works as a Sydney Trains customer service attendant, had “very few police interactions in the last 20 years,” according to Parry. Police are still investigating whether he held a firearm licence.
Authorities have ruled out terrorism or organised crime links and are still determining a motive. “At this stage, it does not appear that police were the intended targets,” Parry said. “However, officers came under fire and put themselves at extraordinary risk.”
A high-calibre rifle and other items were seized from the apartment.
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon described the event as “a serious and terrifying incident for everyone involved,” adding there was no ongoing threat to the public.
“In my 35 years, I’ve rarely seen anything like this — someone randomly shooting at people in the street,” Parry said. “It could easily have been a tragedy.”
