A man will face court today after being charged in relation to a loaded handgun seized during the investigation into the murder of Mahmoud Hawi, NSW Police say.
Just after midday on Thursday 15 February 2018, emergency services responded after 37-year-old, Mahmoud Hawi, was shot by an unknown man as he got into his car outside a gym on West Botany Street, Rockdale.
Mr Hawi was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to St George Hospital in a critical condition, where he later died.
Detectives from the State Crime Command’s Criminal Groups Squad established Strike Force Amirs to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Acting on information from the community, detectives arrested a 29-year-old man as he attempted to board a flight at Sydney International Airport on Friday 16 February 2018.
He was taken to a police station, before being taken to hospital for assessment.
Shortly after, detectives executed a search warrant at a home at Hurstville, where they located a loaded semi-automatic Desert Eagle pistol.
The firearm has been examined by specialist ballistic officers and determined not to be the firearm used in the shooting.
About 12.30pm yesterday (Monday 30 April 2018), the 29-year-old man was arrested after leaving hospital and taken to St George Police Station.
He was charged with possess unauthorised pistol, possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority, and not keep firearm safely-pistol.
The man has been refused bail to appear at Sutherland Local Court later today (Tuesday 1 May 2018).
Investigations under Strike Force Amirs are ongoing.
Police are urging anyone with information that may assist Strike Force Amirs investigators to call Crime Stoppers.
