Police search homes across Sydney after attempted shooting murder at Caddens
The luxury city apartment of Erkan “Eric the Wolf’’ Keskin — one of the country’s most senior members of the Lone Wolf bikie gang — was raided by heavily armed police early this morning after a shooting near Penrith.
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The luxury city apartment of Erkan “Eric the Wolf’’ Keskin — one of the country’s most senior members of the Lone Wolf bikie gang — was raided by heavily armed police early this morning.
Police from Strike Force Raptor, Talon and the Nepean area command mounted a series of raids across Sydney for fear of reprisal attacks after a shooting in Caddens near Penrith on Tuesday.
Seven firearm prevention orders were served on individuals across Sydney including the 41-year-old Keskin.
Superintendent Brett McFadden told media outside Penrith Police Station today it was believed Tuesday’s shooting was gang-related but did not confirm if it was connected to an outlaw motorcycle gang.
“We are satisfied this is part of a number of incidents and the activities we have undertaken today are designed to suppress the activities of those that may seek retribution or retaliation,” Superintendent McFadden said.
“The nature of what it is linked to is the subject of our investigations.
“We are working closely [with specialist agencies] to look at what may have preceded this incident that occurred on Tuesday.”
He said the victim was known to police and was not co-operating with investigators.
“This is a new property. We haven’t had a report from the intended target of this incident of previous similar incidents. The intended target is well known to us,” he said.
Superintendent McFadden said police believe the shooting was intended to kill or seriously injure the 31-year-old male victim as he arrived at his home in Valencia St at 2.20pm on Tuesday.
“This is a reckless attack. There is no doubt in my mind that the intent on the part of the offenders was to inflict grievous bodily harm or kill their intended target,” Superintendent McFadden said.
“This is not an isolated incident. It is a targeted attack linked to other activities of which the intended target was most likely involved.”
Superintendent McFadden said the man’s family was not at the house at the time of the shooting.
“This incident took place in a new residential area. These are family homes with families that are enjoying their school holidays in the immediate vicinity,” he said.
Police are now hunting for two men who fired shots at the house while masked and later fled in a black A45 Mercedes coupe with stolen Victorian number plates, registration number AAV765.
It is understood the vehicle was set alight at 2.50pm that same afternoon in Friend St, Merrylands.
Police have released CCTV in an appeal to the public to help track down the men involved and have urged anyone with information about the incident or dashcam footage of the Mercedes travelling between Caddens and Merrylands, to contact police.
Police said several items were seized in this morning’s raids; however, the items were not firearms.
It is understood more Firearms Prohibition Order searches will take place over the coming days.
A crime scene was established in Caddens and Merrylands, with detectives from the Nepean Police Area Command, in partnership with Operation Talon, investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting under Strike Force Geering.
They are being assisted by Strike Force Raptor and officers from across the metropolitan regions.
Anyone with information that may assist investigators with their inquiries is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au
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