Detectives are renewing their appeal for information as investigations continue into the fatal shooting of a man in a reserve in Sydney’s south-west last month, NSW Police say.
About 5pm on Friday 23 December 2016, police and emergency services were called to the playground at a reserve on Cowpasture Road, Wetherill Park, following reports of a shooting.
On arrival, police located Antonio Hermeiz, aged 20, who had been shot dead.
A second man, aged 18, was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics for a gunshot wound and taken to Liverpool Hospital for further treatment. He has since been released.
An extensive crime scene was established in the park and examined by specialist forensic officers.
Police were told the two men were with three other men, where they met with another group of men, who are all believed to be known to each other.
The two groups became involved in an argument before shots were fired, and the second group of men drove from the scene.
Detectives from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad established Strike Force Jacoby to investigate the incident, and are being assisted by detectives from the Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad and South West Metropolitan Region.
As their investigations continue, Strike Force detectives are appealing for anyone who was in the reserve around the time of the incident to come forward.
Detective Chief Inspector Jubelin said Strike Force Jacoby detectives are disappointed those involved are not assisting with their inquiries.
"Investigators are exploring links between this incident and a number of public place shootings in the area over the past 12 months, which have seen a similar wall of silence from victims," Det Ch Insp Jubelin said.
"It is frustrating that despite the murder of a friend and the serious injury of another, those close to them are not cooperating, which makes it harder – but not impossible – to put those responsible before the courts.
"We are reviewing an extensive amount of CCTV to identify vehicles in and around the reserve at the time, and encourage anyone that was in a vehicle in that area to contact us," Det Ch Insp Jubelin said.
Strike Force Jacoby investigators are also working closely with detectives investigating the murder of Adrian Buxton, who was shot and killed in his driveway at Colyton on Thursday 19 May 2016.
"Our joint inquiries have revealed that Mr Hermeiz had possession of a black Audi Q7, which was involved in the murder of Mr Buxton," Det Ch Insp Jubelin said.
"At the time Mr Buxton was murdered, the Audi had NSW registration plates ‘BMH12Q’. The vehicle has not been located.
"Again, anyone with information about this vehicle is encouraged to come forward."
To compliment the ongoing investigation, the Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad and Fairfield Police are proactively targeting people associated with criminal groups in the area, including DLASTHR and True Kings.
Police are urging anyone with information that may assist investigators to call Crime Stoppers.
