NSW: Police recover rifle after SW Sydney shooting,but no gunmen

AAP General News (Australia)
12-27-2003
NSW: Police recover rifle after SW Sydney shooting,but no gunmen

By Samantha Baden

SYDNEY, Dec 27 AAP - Police today recovered a rifle believed to have been used in a
shooting in a south-west Sydney street but were yet to identify or find the men involved.

They have refused to disclose its type or calibre.

Bankstown Police Chief Inspector Colin Green said police today searched a property
in Wattle Street, Punchbowl after shots were fired in the suburban road at about 5.15pm
(AEDT) yesterday.

Two cars pulled up outside a house in the street and an argument broke out between
men in the cars and occupants of the house.

Police said the argument escalated, and it is believed a man from the house fired several
shots at the two vehicles, which drove off at high speed.

No one was injured in the shooting, but about eight rounds struck three houses in the
street and one car.

"A search warrant has been executed and so far we have recovered a firearm," Insp Green
told reporters in Sydney today.

He said the rifle would now undergo ballistics testing.

Police are yet to identify or locate the men involved in the incident and said they
did not know what the altercation prior to the shooting had been about.

"The shots were fired from the front of those premises, (but) we're yet to identify
who fired the shots.

"We'll be making inquiries to first identify them and then to locate them."

Insp Green could not confirm whether the man involved in the shooting was visiting
the property or if he lived there.

Officers from Task Force Gain - set up to investigate a spate of shooting murders in
Sydney's south-west - have been helping the investigation.

"At this stage we are unable to establish any links to those south-west Sydney murders,"

Insp Green said.

"(But) I can't rule it out at this stage."

Insp Green warned local residents to be aware of their own security.

"All I'll say to local residents is if they can again just be mindful of where they
go, and take the general safety precautions that we encourage all members of the public
to take.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800
333 000 or the Task Force Gain hotline on 1800 131 555.

AAP smb/cjh/de

KEYWORD: SHOTS NIGHTLEAD

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