Man shot dead in Granville in Sydney’s latest gangland assassination

Police say two groups of men met on a public street for a “specific reason” before a man was shot dead in Sydney’s west, in what police believe was another killing linked to organised crime.

Police at the crime scene in Granville where a man was shot dead on Sunday. Picture: Damian Shaw

A man has died after being shot in broad daylight on a street in Sydney’s west, in what is believed to be the latest organised-crime killing to rock Sydney’s underworld.

Xiao Zhao, 44, was shot in the shoulder on Factory Street in Granville about 4.30pm on Sunday as he went to get into a black BMW sedan.

NSW Ambulance paramedics rushed to the scene where they found Mr Zhao bleeding profusely and tried to save him, but he died before he could be taken to hospital.

Police sources said two guns were found during nearby searches of the street.

The man died at the scene. Picture: Damian Shaw

A black BMW at a crime scene on Factory Street in Granville. Picture: Damian Shaw

At a press conference on Monday, Granville superintendent Andrew Holland said two groups of men had met at the location “for a specific reason” before the fatal shot was fired.

Two men are in custody assisting police with investigations – but aren’t expected to be charged over what police believe was likely a “targeted attack”.

Superintendent Holland confirmed Zhao was known to police and there were four different crime scenes, with a number of loud bangs heard moments before the fatal shooting.

“It’s usually a very quiet suburban street, with Auspost customers and staff,” he said.

He said police believe a number of cars fled from the scene with several vehicles being forensically examined.

Police sources have told The Daily Telegraph Mr Zhao, who is of Asian background, is known to have links to organised crime.

Helicopters whirred overhead as dozens of police cars, including the Public Order and Riot Squad, rushed to the scene.

Witnesses were stopped on a nearby street by police in the hope they would have information that could help in their inquiries. These people being stopped were initially thought to be arrests.

Detectives at the scene were seen combing through a black BMW sedan, the doors of which were all open.

Police at the Granville crime scene. Picture: Damian Shaw

Paramedics rushed to the scene but the man could not be revived. Picture: Damian Shaw

In a statement, NSW Police said: “A crime scene has been established and investigations underway into the circumstances surrounding the incident.”

“As inquiries continue, any witnesses or anyone with information is urged to come forward.”

Mr Zhao’s death comes just a few weeks after a young man was gunned down in Elizabeth Hills in another daylight assassination.

Marvin Oraiha, 24, was shot in the head just moments after driving into the driveway of his parents home on May 22.

Oraiha was known to have minor links to associates of the Comanchero bikie gang, but police are continuing to probe if this had anything to do with his killing.

There have been a total of 17 killings with links to organised crime in Sydney since late-2020.

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