A man has been shot dead in the car park of the Punchbowl Community Centre in southwest Sydney. The shooting occurred at about 5.30pm on Wednesday. The victim suffered multiple gunshot wounds and died at the scene despite attempts to save him. Police believe the attack was targeted and are searching for a silver Lexus sedan seen leaving the area.
Sydney has been hit by another fatal shooting.
Emergency services were called to the Punchbowl Community Centre on Rossmore Avenue following reports of gunfire.
Police and paramedics found a man critically injured in the car park.
Despite CPR and emergency treatment, he could not be revived.
NSW Police said the victim had suffered multiple gunshot wounds.
Police believe shooting was targeted
Acting Superintendent Dean Johnstone, from Campsie Police Area Command, described the shooting as “callous” and said investigators believe the victim was deliberately targeted.
Police said the man was known to officers.
“The actions of the offenders have endangered the lives of other community members,” Johnstone said.
He added that police would work to identify those responsible and bring them before the courts.
Search for silver Lexus
Investigators are looking for a silver Lexus sedan reportedly seen speeding away from the scene shortly after the shooting.
The car park was quickly established as a major crime scene.
Multiple police vehicles, ambulances and the police helicopter were deployed to the area.
The Punchbowl Community Centre is located only a few hundred metres from Punchbowl Station and close to St Jerome’s Catholic Primary School and St Jerome’s Catholic Church.
Witness accounts reported by local media suggest the car park was busy at the time of the shooting.
Victim’s identity not yet officially confirmed
The Daily Telegraph has reported that the man killed was 32-year-old boxing coach Louis Meehan, the son of a former professional boxer.
Police, however, had not formally confirmed the victim’s identity publicly at the time of reporting.
Investigations are continuing.
Shooting follows recent violence in Sydney
The killing comes after two other men were fatally shot in separate incidents last week, with police investigating whether those victims may have been mistakenly targeted instead of intended criminal figures.
The NSW Government also announced a new organised crime crackdown this week, including tougher penalties for teenagers involved in gang-related shootings, firebombings and serious violence.
The Punchbowl shooting is likely to add further pressure on authorities over gun crime in Sydney.
Appeal for witnesses
Police are urging anyone who witnessed the shooting, saw the silver Lexus or has dashcam or CCTV footage from the area to contact Crime Stoppers.
The investigation remains ongoing.
