New South Wales Police have taken the unusual step of publicly criticising the suspects in a fatal Western Sydney shooting, labelling them "bumbling idiots" as they release CCTV footage and appeal for public help.
A Fatal Meeting in Winston Hills
The investigation centres on the death of 22-year-old Osama Momani. Police allege Momani was lured to Regiment Gr at Winston Hills for a meeting on the evening of August 19 last year. He arrived in an Uber about 7pm to meet with three men, before an altercation broke out.
Detective Superintendent Joe Doueihi said the situation escalated rapidly. "He suffered a single gunshot wound," Doueihi stated. Momani then attempted to seek help from a nearby premises but was unsuccessful. Paramedics treated him at the scene before rushing him to Westmead Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries later that night.
A Trail of Evidence Left Behind
In a significant update, police clarified that the shooting occurred after Momani had exited the rideshare vehicle, correcting earlier reports. The Uber driver, who witnessed the incident, was said to be "quite shocked and distressed" and has been cooperating with investigators.
Detectives believe the crime was poorly executed. "It does not appear to be a well-organised crime," Doueihi said. "I can only describe them as bumbling idiots that had no idea what they were doing and left a significant trail of evidence behind."
That trail includes a burnt-out Toyota Prado found alight on Bounty Pl in Old Toongabbie—roughly a five-minute drive from the crime scene—around 11.15pm that night. CCTV shows three men walking along a street soon after the shooting, before dumping and setting the vehicle alight.
Most damningly, a .45 calibre handgun, believed to be the murder weapon, was discovered in long grass about a week later by a resident mowing their lawn.
Police Appeal for Information on Suspects and Vehicles
Authorities now say at least six people and four vehicles were involved in the offence. This includes the three men who met with Momani, another man who allegedly burned the vehicle, and the drivers of other cars. The vehicles were not reported stolen, and police confirmed the registered owner of the Toyota Prado is not linked to the shooting.
The motive remains unclear, though police have indicated it is likely linked to "low-level drug activity." Osama Momani was on bail at the time over an unrelated alleged break-in at a Chester Hill home in September 2023, which police stress was not connected to his murder.
Police have released descriptions of three men seen in the CCTV, all described as being of Mediterranean or Middle Eastern appearance and aged in their 30s:
- The first is of slim build, with short dark hair and a beard, wearing a hooded jumper, jeans and white sneakers.
- The second is of medium build, with short dark hair and a beard, wearing a white T-shirt and carrying a shoulder bag.
- The third is of large build, with short dark hair and a long beard, wearing a high-visibility jumper and work boots while pulling a suitcase.
The vehicles of interest are a white Toyota Prado SUV, a black Audi A4 sedan, a silver Lexus, and a white Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV.
Detective Superintendent Doueihi and his team are urging anyone with information, or who may have dashcam or mobile phone footage from the Winston Hills or Old Toongabbie areas on the night of August 19, to contact Crime Sters immediately.
