It is understood the shot into the backyard was meant to be a warning but ended with the family’s bodyguard nursing a bullet wound in hospital.

Family friends say Semi “Tongan Sam” Ngata — was hit when he instinctively moved to shield the bride-to-be.

The family was preparing to celebrate the impending marriage of Ibrahim’s nephew to the sister of disgraced property developer and former Auburn councillor Salim Mehajer.

The shooting unfolded about 10.45pm on Friday as tables and chairs were being set up in the backyard of matriarch Wahiba Ibrahim’s home ahead of last night’s celebration.

The shot fired is understood to have been a .22 calibre bullet. It was fired over the back fence of the Price St, Merrylands home, according to sources.

It is understood there were two women in the yard at the time of the attack, along with Tongan Sam, who was there to help set up tables.

Despite the shooting the wedding celebrations of Aisha Mehajer and Hassan “Sam” Sayour went ahead at the crime scene last night — just hours after riot squad officers had combed the property for evidence.

Aisha’s sister Kat posted on social media last night: “I can’t believe my baby sister is getting married today!!! I love you so much Aishy”.

One friend used the affectionate nickname “Simba” for Mr Sayour in her social media jubilation.

“My best friend (Simba) got married today to the most beautiful girl with the kindest heart. I’m so happy for you both,” Anitta Adattini wrote on social media.

She also posted an image of Mr Sayour’s tattooed hand sliding the wedding ring onto Ms Mehajer’s hand.

Some of the guests described last night’s event as an engagement party, with the actual wedding next month. However, the Mehajer family posted photos of the bride and groom signing a marriage certificate.

Tongan Sam remained in a serious but stable condition last night at Westmead Hospital with a bullet wound to his back.

Friends said John Ibrahim made an emergency dash to the hospital immediately after the shooting.

He was there when his bodyguard and friend woke up and remained at his side last night.

“He is doing OK,” said Tongan Sam’s wife, who declined to be named as she returned to the property ­yesterday morning.

“We have been there all night, we just came home to freshen up.”

While there is no suggestion Mr Mehajer is involved with the shooting, police did say they are ­examining several lines of inquiry, including one that the incident may have been motivated by a falling-out between the two extended clans over the wedding.

A spokesman for Mr Mehajer ­denied any suggestion of a dispute between his family and the Ibrahims.

As inquiries continued yesterday a burnt-out Mercedes Benz was found not far from the crime scene in the nearby suburb of Mays Hill.

CCTV footage showed a number of men scrambling from the car and then ­another man returning to set it alight.

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Police said they were still confirming whether the car or two handguns located in an empty house on nearby Patricia St in the same suburb were linked to the shooting.

As is standard practice for any underworld shooting, police ­taskforces have been placed on high alert in case of further violence.

­Despite this fear a steady stream of visitors turned up at the house yesterday, carrying food, flowers and even a wedding cake. Among them were members of the Nomads outlaw motorcycle gang, including the club’s vice-president Moudi Tajjour, who made a swift entry from his metallic blue Audi and through the back gate.

The house is no stranger to controversy. In August it was raided by organised crime detectives who recovered a handgun on the property. No charges were laid over the find.

It has also been the site of several drive-by shootings, including one in 2011 that targeted John Ibrahim’s elder brother Sam, who was shot in the driveway.

The shooting comes weeks after the ­arrest of some Ibrahim family members on drug charges.