MMA fighter ‘Silent Assassin’ shot in late night ambush

Hayder Khudhair remains in hospital after he was ambushed and shot while driving a truck through Sydney’s southwest - the second attempt on his life in two weeks.

Police pictured at a crime scene on Donald Street in Yennora. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw

A professional MMA fighter who goes by the name ‘Silent Assassin’ has been targeted by gunmen for the second time in two weeks, this time suffering serious injuries to his abdomen and arms.

Hayder Khudhair remains in hospital after he was ambushed and shot while driving a truck through Sydney’s southwest on Monday night.

Hayder Khudhair, 29, who was shot at Yennora on May 13. Picture: Supplied

Hayder Khudhair goes by fight name ‘Silent Assassin’. Picture: Supplied

The 29-year-old was driving along Donald St in Yennora shortly before 11.20pm when a car pulled in front of him and stopped suddenly.

Police say a gunman jumped out of the car and opened fire on the truck, with bullets hitting Khudhair in the wrist and abdomen as he sat in the driver’s seat.

The gunman then fled the scene, while emergency services rushed to Khudhair’s aid and transported him to Liverpool Hospital.

Within minutes of the shooting, firefighters responded to two separate car fires, both about 4km away — a black Lexus sedan on Dixmude St in South Granville and another vehicle on Boundary Rd in Chester Hill.

Witnesses described the sound of the gun shots, saying they heard “four or five” ring out in quick succession.

Police pictured at a crime scene on Donald Street in Yennora. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw

“First we thought it was firecrackers, but then once we heard the sirens and police, we knew it was gunshots for sure,” a witness said.

“They were really fast, one after the other.”

It is the second time in just 11 days that Khudhair – who fights professionally under the stage name Silent Assassin – has been targeted.

On May 2, Khudhair was targeted in a shooting in Sydney’s west, however the Telegraph understands he told police he was unaware of any conficts that would lead to him being shot at.

The 29-year-old is part of Australian Top Team MMA gym in Wentworthville – which was the scene of an attempted assassination last year.

The remnants of a crime scene. Where a car was burnt out on Boundary Rd Chester Hill. Picture: Thomas Lisson

Police pictured at a crime scene on Donald Street in Yennora. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw

Suman Mokhtarian, 31, was outside the team’s western Sydney gym about 7.45am on February 20 when the gunman ran up and fired four shots at him.

All four shots missed him, as well as the 30 other people training inside the gym, and the balaclava-wearing man then fled the scene on a scooter.

As police investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting of Khudhair, anyone with information or dashcam footage is urged to call Fairfield police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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Originally published as MMA fighter ‘Silent Assassin’ shot in late night ambush