Strike Force Raptor investigators have charged a man following a public place shooting at Warwick Farm last month, during which another man was shot twice in the arm.
Just before 9pm on Saturday 8 August 2020, emergency services were called to a unit complex on Lachlan Street, Warwick Farm, after shots were fired at a Mercedes Benz in the driveway.
The driver, a 32-year-old man, suffered two gunshot wounds to his forearm and elbow. His passenger, a 22-year-old woman, was uninjured.
A short time later, the man attended Liverpool Hospital and underwent surgery. He has since been released.
Officers from Liverpool City Police Area Command, together with the Criminal Groups Squad's Strike Force Raptor, commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Following extensive investigations, Strike Force Raptor investigators, with assistance from the Tactical Operations Unit (TOU), arrested a 29-year-old man at a unit at Griffiths Street, Blacktown, just after 4pm yesterday (Thursday 3 September 2020).
Shortly after the arrest, two search warrants were executed at the Blacktown unit and garage.
During the searches, investigators seized electronic devices and a vehicle, which will undergo forensic examination.
The man was taken to Blacktown Police Station and charged with shoot at with intent to murder, discharge firearm intend cause grievous bodily harm and owner not disclose identity of driver/passenger.
He was refused bail to appear at Blacktown Local Court today (Friday 4 September 2020).
Criminal Groups Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Robert Critchlow, said public acts of violence are dangerous and will not be tolerated by police.
"Public place shootings are reckless and offenders committing these offences show a blatant disregard for their own safety and that of the community," Det Supt Critchlow said.
"Police are actively targeting criminal networks involved in violent and illicit activity – using a combined strategy of investigative policing, as well as pro-active, high-visibility operations.
"Since June last year, Criminal Groups Squad detectives and Strike Force Raptor investigators have conducted over 400 Firearms Prohibition Orders and seized more than 730 firearms.
"This week, as part of ongoing disruption strategies, specialist police seized a loaded AK-47 military rifle with over 2000 rounds of ammunition in Sydney's west.
"These high-visibility operations aimed at disruption and suppression of criminal groups will continue, and anyone involved in these shooting incidents or other violent activity, should expect to be arrested," Det Supt Critchlow said.
Investigations into the Warwick Farm shooting are continuing.
Strike Force Raptor was established in 2009 and conducts proactive investigations and intelligence-based, high-impact policing operations to prevent and disrupt conflicts, and dismantle any network engaged in serious organised criminal activity.
Anyone with information, including relevant photos and videos, that may assist Strike Force Raptor can report it directly to investigators via the Strike Force Raptor online reporting page: https://www1.police.nsw.gov.au/Default.aspx?id=49 or call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Information provided to investigators will be treated in the strictest of confidence.
