Greenacre shooting: Maiden Street, Juno Parade homes hit with bullets

Frightened families have spoken of the horror after bullets sprayed their suburban homes, shattering their windows, pool fences and sense of safety. Watch the video:

Residents of two quiet southwest Sydney streets are in shock after bullets blew through their homes last night.

Police were called to Maiden St, Greenacre following reports of gun shots just before 9.30pm. On arrival, officers saw three homes – one on Maiden St and two on nearby Juno Parade – had been sprayed with bullets.

Jenny Kim was alone at home with the kids when a bullet exploded through her upstairs window.

With her husband in hospital for a shoulder surgery, Ms Kim initially thought her kids had dropped something or fireworks had gone off on the street. It wasn’t until she found the broken glass and bullet hole that she realised her home had been shot.

“I hid myself first because I was so nervous I was shaking and I didn’t want to be in the balcony area,” Ms Kim said.

A bullet hole remains after Jenny Kim's Greenacre home was shot. Picture: Paul Brescia

The family bedrooms were in the back of the house. The bullet came through their front window. She immediately rang the hospital after the shooting, which discharged her husband and sent him home. They are yet to tell the kids what happened.

Ms Kim said although she had heard news reports of other shootings in her suburb, they felt separate from her until last night.

“When it happened to our place, I felt like it could happen to anyone. Anyone could be a target,” Ms Kim said. “I don’t feel safe.”

Housien Darwich had multiple bullets come into his home while his family was downstairs watching television.

One bullet was shot through his glass pool fence, instantly shattering it. Another went through the window of his car.

“We were six metres away from where the bullet passed us,” Mr Darwich said. “The kids were frightened and horrified.”

Like Ms Kim, Mr Darwich wasn’t surprised there was a shooting in the Greenacre area, but never expected it in his own home.

Housien Darwich points to where the bullet went through his car last night. Picture: Paul Brescia

His biggest frustration was with Canterbury-Bankstown Council, which he says has rejected his requests for CCTV cameras to be installed at Allum Park near his home.

“We sent them a letter three months ago, saying there are burnt out cars, fireworks, people on quad bikes day and night, and asking whether they would consider putting CCTV,” Mr Darwich said. “The council’s response was that if there are issues, call the police.

“I’m angry. There has to be action taken now, a life could have been taken.”

Joel Abouzeid has lived in his Greenacre home for 45 years. A bullet blew through the upstairs window of the home across the street from him last night. Picture: Paul Brescia

For Joe Abouzeid, who has lived in his Juno Parade home for 45 years, the shooting has shattered the sense of safety he used to feel.

A bullet pierced the house across the street from him, likely fired from the park behind him.

His home was between both.

“What’s going on in this area?” Mr Abouzeid said. “It used to be beautiful.”

Alia Shahzadi had come back from dinner with friends when they heard multiple gunshots from their home on Maiden St.

Alia Shahzadi returned home from dinner with friends when they heard the shots last night. She was terrified. The home seen behind her was shot last night. Picture: Paul Brescia

Police dog sniffing for bullet casings at Allum Park, Greenacre. Picture: Paul Brescia

“It was scary,” Ms Shahzadi said. “My friend was outside, and I was very worried.”

Police dog units were out in Allum Park today, sniffing for bullet casings.

Commander Adam Whyte said it was unclear how many shots were fired last night, but that investigations were ongoing.

“It’s unacceptable to fire a firearm anywhere, yet alone in a residential area,” he said. “It won’t be tolerated.”

An extensive search of the area was conducted by Polair, Traffic and Highway Patrol, Dog Unit, and Riot Squad with initial investigations indicating the incident may have taken place at nearby Allum Park. No blood or evidence a person was shot has been discovered there.

People were inside the homes at the time of the incident however no injuries have been reported.

Police have established crime scenes at each location and are appealing for any CCTV or dashcam footage from Maiden, Tempe, Karuah or Valencia streets between 7.30pm and 10pm.