Alleged gunman on Ibrahim’s street an ‘innocent 20yo’, relative says

A family member of one of the balaclava-clad men who allegedly pulled a gun on a neighbour of Sydney identity John Ibrahim says “he is an innocent 20-year-old” who was likely acting on the instructions of others.

A family member of one of the balaclava-clad men who allegedly pulled a gun on a neighbour of Sydney identity John Ibrahim says “he is an innocent 20-year-old” who was likely acting on the instructions of others.

Bankstown plumber Yousif Zrayka was one of two men arrested in a dramatic police chase through Sydney’s eastern suburbs on Thursday.

It was sparked when one of Ibrahim’s neighbours called triple-0 after spotting a masked man carrying a pistol on George St, Dover Heights, at 8.20am.

Zrayka and 24-year-old Campsie man Siaosi Maeakafa Tupoulahi appeared in court on Friday charged with a combined 19 offences, ranging from possessing firearms to intimidating witnesses, assaulting police and not wearing a seatbelt.

When contacted, one of Zrayka’s family members, who declined to be identified, said he was not the brains behind the operation.

John Ibrahim with partner Sarah Budge. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“Look at his age, it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that he is not behind it,” the family member said. “He’s been a plumber for six years who spends most of his time at home.

“If the police do their job, they will figure out that he is an innocent 20-year-old,” the person said.

Police are now investigating whether Ibrahim, who made his fortune in the Sydney nightclub game and is not accused of any wrongdoing, was the intended target of the alleged gunmen.

One line of inquiry includes that the two men may have allegedly targeted Ibrahim’s neighbour while they were backing out of their driveway by mistake because they drive a similar car to the nightclub boss.

Inside the car, two of Ibrahim’s neighbours looked out in terror as a balaclava-clad man holding a loaded gun approached their car.

John Ibrahim sneaks out side his front door to taker an Uber Eats delivery on Friday. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Sarah Budge outside the house on Friday as detectives searched the street. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Police are now actively trying to protect the identity of the couple and have referred to them as “Witness A” and “Witness B” on court documents.

Detectives are trying to work out what motivated Zrayka and Tupoulahi to be in the street and whether they were connected to a wider organised crime operation.

The two men did not co-operate with police or provide any information after they were arrested.

Police rushed to the scene after the triple-0 call was made and became involved in a car chase with the two men to Old South Head Rd in nearby Bellevue Hill.

John Ibrahim’s car in the driveway of the house he owns. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

It was there that they chased down the two men before physically restraining them.

In a search of the car — a Cupra Leon with Qld number plates that had been stolen from car hire company Europcar — police found balaclavas and two loaded handguns.

Zrayka was charged with eight offences, including stalking and intimidating Ibrahim’s neighbours, possessing an unauthorised and loaded black revolver and taking part in a police pursuit.

John Ibrahim outside his house in 2023. Picture: David Swift

Tupoulahi is facing 11 offences, including possessing an unauthorised Glock pistol and ammunition, intimidation, assaulting police and not wearing a seatbelt.

They will face The Downing Centre Local Court on Monday where their lawyer Talal Krayem told Magistrate Jacqueline Milledge they are expected to make a bail application.

Ibrahim did not answer calls for comment.

An Ibrahim family insider said: “Mate, John has half of the West on this. Boys (have been) in and out of his mother’s place all day.”

“This is what happens when you send monkeys to do a man’s job.”