Community rocked after father gunned down in chilling drive-by shooting

Taha Sabbagh was shot and killed in front of his young son as the pair were on the way to the gym early on Thursday morning.

Dozens of people gathered at the scene of a “execution style” shooting after a man was gunned down in a hail of bullets outside a gym.

Taha Sabbagh, 40, was in a car with his 12-year-old son outside the Elite Fight Force gym on Carlingford St in Sefton at 6.30am on Thursday when he was fatally shot.

At least 10 were heard before Mr Sabbagh was found injured by paramedics. He died at the scene.

Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty said he believed it was a targeted shooting, however, police will investigate if he was the intended target.

“He was not well known to police, he was associated with some people who are well known to police and have strong criminal activity connected to them.”

The victim is understood to be 40-year-old Taha Sabbagh. Picture: Facebook

Tributes have already been shared online for the father and husband who was ‘loved by many’. Picture: Facebook

Mr Sabbagh, a celebrity chauffeur, has been remembered as a “beautiful person who’s life was taken mistakenly and undeservedly”.

“The fact that the man’s 12-year-old son was in the car, we obviously believe this is an egregious, violent act,” Superintendent Doherty said.

“This is a poor kid whose father has been shot in front of him, it’s very traumatising for him and for his family.”

Mr Sabbagh is believed to have been taking his son to the martial arts gym which he frequently attends.

Angry family members and friends flocked to the scene. Picture: NCA NewsWire

Forensics investigate the scene. Picture: NCA NewsWire

The victim’s car under plastic for forensic investigation. Picture: NCA NewsWire

His associates are believed to also have connections to the gym.

“[The alleged offenders] are callous and they are brazen and they have little disregard for human life,” Superintendent Doherty said.

Family members and friends flocked to the street as news of the shooting broke.

Witnesses described harrowing scenes as emotions bubbled over in the streets with onlookers yelled at.

Dozens of mourners - many wearing hi-vis and workboats - began to walk towards the onlookers shouting at them to move away from the scene.

A burnt-out car was found in the neighbouring suburb of Birrong less than an hour after the shooting. Picture: NCA NewsWire

The street remains cordoned off on Thursday afternoon. Picture: NCA NewsWire

Fuelled by anger and the heartbreaking events of the morning, it was clear the incident had shaken the community.

The emotional crowd told onlookers they were being “disrespectful”.

The crowd was eventually calmed down by police officers.

There is a large police presence outside the gym. Picture: NCA NewsWire

Tributes have been shared online to the husband and father who was “loved by many”.

“With great sadness and shock we announce our beloved brother Taha Sabbagh has returned to his Creator,” one Facebook post read.

“Taha was a loving son, brother, father, husband, he was loved by many. He will be missed greatly by all who knew him.”

One tribute says Mr Sabbagh ‘will be missed greatly by all who knew him’. Picture: Facebook

“We ask Allah to give his family, wife and children comfort during this test.”

A witness told 2GB he heard about 10 bullets fired in the street outside his car workshop on Thursday morning.

“I was in the back of the workshop just before 7am and I heard a series of bangs which I was hoping was a car backfiring, and as I heard a car speed off, there was another series of bangs,” David said.

“I hesitated to go to the front of the workshop obviously and then I slowly walked to the windows and saw people coming out.

“Within minutes there was a load of ambulances, police everywhere and then we saw a man on the ground not in a good way.

“I’m glad I don’t open the door in the morning.”

The man was reportedly sitting inside a black Mercedes SUV outside Elite Fight Force martial arts gym. Picture: Instagram

The gym has closed for the day while a crime scene is in place. Picture: Google Maps

Just 40 minutes after the alleged shooting, a burnt-out Mazda 3 was found in the neighbouring suburb of Birrong.

Fire and Rescue NSW were called to Magdella St to extinguish the blaze.

The car would be forensically examined, and inquiries were continuing into whether the incident was linked to a nearby shooting, a police spokesperson said.

No one was injured.

Forensic investigators will examine the car, which has not yet been linked to the shooting. Picture: NCA NewsWire.

Police said the fatal shooting check all the boxes of a “targeted organised crime” and will move forward as a homicide investigation.

“The nature of the shooting, the execution style murder, the use of multiple shots, burning out the car, these are hallmarks of an organised crime murder,” Superintendent Smith said.

He went on to say police have worked “really hard” to reduce the spree of shootings and alleged murders that plagued Sydney last year.

“The last shooting we with an organised crime link was over six months ago,” he said.

The street remains closed off as police comb the scene. Picture: NCA NewsWire

An exclusion zone is in place around the gym. Picture: NCA NewsWire

An exclusion zone has been established at the gym and there is a large police presence.

Elite Fight Force gym sent a post out to their 11,000 followers at about 7am to inform them their doors would be closed throughout the day.

A witness has described the terrifying moment 10 bullets were fired. Picture: 7 News

“We are very sorry for an inconvenience, Elite Fight Force will be closed today and all classes will be cancelled for the day,” the post read.

“Please bear with us and stay updated with our stories for any new announcements. Thank you.”

The gym is located in an industrial area, with car repair shops and factories lining the street.

Originally published as Community rocked after father gunned down in chilling drive-by shooting