Two men who fled the scene of a fatal shooting in Sydney's west yesterday offered people in a nearby apartment complex handfuls of cash to hide them, residents say.
George Nassif, was shot on the corner of George and Lachlan streets in Warwick Farm about 5:20pm yesterday, in what police believe was a targeted attack.
Mr Nassif and his girlfriend Taylah were visiting a woman at the apartment when two men came knocking on the door and shot the 46-year-old in the back.
The sex worker, who rents the one-bedroom apartment, buzzed the gunman and his accomplice into the building before a single shot was fired late on Sunday afternoon.
A witness, Ahmed Zaineddine said the building was placed in lockdown for several hours, with police cars and ambulances blocking Lachlan and George Streets.
"We just heard one gunshot and it sounded horrible — it was loud and we heard a bit of screaming, then the police and ambulances rushed here," he said.
An ambulance drove the man to Liverpool Hospital — which is just around the corner from the apartment complex — under police escort, but he died from his injuries.
There was a large police presence at the scene last night with officers, with assistance from the dog unit, conducting an extensive search of the area.
However, the two men remain at large.
Loved ones mourn 'best dad'
The father of four has been remembered as "the best dad who "would do anything for anyone".
"He's the best man, he's got the biggest heart. I can't believe they have done this," his devastated girlfriend Taylah said.
Eli Nassif said he could not believe why anyone would want to shoot his brother and asked anyone with information to contact police.
"He was one of the best blokes, he had the biggest heart and he really was the best dad," Eli said.
Police said CCTV vision from the lift showed the men were dressed in hoodies and had their faces covered when they left the building.
The gunman and his accomplice were seen running down Lachlan Street before they started banging on the doors of a block of units.
One resident, who did not want to be identified, said he opened the door to a man who was wearing a hoodie and had his face covered.
"The man appeared really nervous and he offered me some money to let him hide inside our house — I said no, and grabbed a bat, but then he disappeared," the man said.
Forensic police officers collected a number of items from a garbage bin outside the block of units, but are yet to locate the weapon used in the attack.
The gunman and his accomplice remain on the run, and police are urging the public not to approach the men, but to call Crimestoppers.
