A man has been charged with 25 offences after allegedly firing bullets at random from a Croydon Park apartment in Sydney’s inner west, sending locals ducking for cover on Sunday evening.
The charges include 18 counts of shooting with intent to murder, possessing a loaded firearm endangering life, firing a firearm in or near a public place, possessing an unregistered firearm, failing to safely store a firearm, possessing ammunition without a licence or permit, firing at a dwelling house with disregard for safety, and discharging a firearm with intent to resist arrest.
Police responded to reports of shots at Georges River Road, locking down the area just after 7:45pm and tackling a two-hour standoff before making the arrest.
Authorities say that up to 100 rounds may have been unleashed on the busy shopping strip, with vehicles — including a police car — damaged and windows shattered all around. NSW Ambulance treated 16 people for minor injuries, mostly from flying glass. Two men, including a passenger in a passing car shot in the neck and chest, were hospitalised — one had surgery but is expected to recover.
The alleged gunman, identified as 60-year-old Artemios Mintzas, was arrested after heavily armed tactical officers stormed his unit about 9:30pm, allegedly seizing a .30-calibre rifle and ammunition.
Mintzas was taken to hospital for minor injuries sustained during the arrest, then charged late Monday night at Burwood Police Station with the 25 offences.
ABC reports Mintzas works for Sydney Trains and lives alone. Police say he has no known links to organised crime or extremist groups, and “very few recorded interactions” with police over the past two decades.
There is also no documented history of mental health issues, according to NSW Police Acting Superintendent Stephen Parry.
Witnesses described chaos as more than 30 police vehicles descended on the scene, a helicopter circled overhead, and residents received text messages urging them to shelter in place.
Office manager Joe Azar told the Sydney Morning Herald he was across the road when “some guy’s windshield blew up, then the bus stop glass shattered”, and people rushed inside, laying on the ground until police gave the all-clear about an hour after the gunfire stopped.
Another local, Michelle, narrowly missed being struck as bullets hit the pavement nearby.
“I saw the bullets had hit, and the cement had actually sprayed out,” she said.
Throughout the ordeal, police exchanged fire with Mintzas after officers themselves were allegedly targeted. Paramedics treated dozens of people for shock and minor injuries onsite, and some were later taken to hospital for observation.
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon and Premier Chris Minns praised first responders for jumping in so quickly amid a “serious and terrifying incident”.
The attack did not appear to be targeted at police or the public specifically, and no motive has been determined as investigations under Strike Force Cornwood continue. At this stage, detectives are still working through the crime scenes and have not located any manifesto or documentation linked to the alleged shooter’s actions.
“It’s incredible that nobody has died or received significant injuries,” Acting Superintendent Parry told reporters.
Mintzas was refused bail and is set to front Burwood Local Court on Tuesday, October 7.
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