Three Men Face Court Over Alleged Sydney Gym Shooting Ambush
Three men have been formally charged by New South Wales Police following a dramatic alleged ambush and shooting outside a Sydney gym late last year. The incident, which saw a 48-year-old man targeted with twelve rounds of gunfire, has culminated in serious criminal charges nearly four months after the attack.
Alleged Attack Outside Gregory Hills Gym
The alleged shooting occurred at approximately 8.35am on December 5 outside World Gym on Steer Rd in Gregory Hills. According to police reports, two men wearing balaclavas fired twelve rounds toward the victim before fleeing the scene in a waiting red Range Rover SUV. Remarkably, the 48-year-old man was not injured during the attack.
Police immediately swarmed the area in search of the alleged shooters. Within a short time, officers located the abandoned SUV on Macquarie Grove Rd in Cobbitty, approximately five kilometres west of the gym. Inside the vehicle, investigators allegedly discovered two pistols, clothing, masks, and cloned number plates, providing crucial evidence for the subsequent investigation.
Raptor Squad Executes Arrests Months Later
NSW Police's elite Raptor Squad took charge of the investigation, executing a search warrant at a home in Parramatta at about 5am on Monday. This operation led to the arrest of a 40-year-old man. Just over an hour later, a 32-year-old man was arrested at a residence in Burwood. The following day, at approximately 10am on Tuesday, a 38-year-old man was taken into custody at a home in Silverwater.
All three men have been charged with one count of shooting with intent to murder. Additionally, the 40-year-old man faces an extra charge of directing the activities of a criminal group. The 32-year-old and 38-year-old men have been further charged with participating in a criminal group and acquiring a pistol subject to a firearms prohibition order.
Court Proceedings and Ongoing Investigations
The 40-year-old and 32-year-old men were refused bail during appearances at Parramatta Local Court on Monday and remain before the courts. The 38-year-old man has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear before the Bail Division Court on Wednesday.
Police have confirmed that investigations into the incident remain ongoing. Authorities are urging anyone with information about the alleged shooting to contact Crime Stoppers as they continue to piece together the circumstances surrounding the attack.
The case highlights the ongoing efforts of NSW Police's specialized units in tackling organized criminal activity and violent incidents across Sydney. The Raptor Squad's involvement underscores the seriousness with which law enforcement is treating this alleged attempted murder outside a suburban fitness facility.
