Man accused of shooting lawyer in CBD allegedly had link to victim’s brother

A man charged with shooting a lawyer in Sydney’s CBD on Wednesday allegedly had previously engaged the victim’s brother as a lawyer.

A man charged with shooting a lawyer in Sydney’s CBD on Wednesday allegedly had previously engaged the victim’s brother as a lawyer.

Sinve Vulic, 79, allegedly walked into the Castlereagh St office block armed with a sawn-off M1 carbine semi-automatic rifle and a pistol, and opened fire on solicitor Van Cooney, 77, about 12.50pm on Wednesday.

Mr Cooney was taken to St Vincent’s Hospital suffering a gunshot wound to his groin, while Vulic was arrested at the scene before being charged with offences including shoot at with intent to murder.

Vulic engaged Cooney’s brother Dennis to assist him with an unrelated matter back in 1998, when the two brothers worked together under the one firm.

There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by Dennis Cooney.

Van Cooney was shot in his office block on Wednesday. Picture: LinkedIn

Police arrested the alleged shooter at the scene. Picture: Christian Gilles

Croatian-born Vulic moved to Australia in 1967, and police allege that on Wednesday this week he got out of the lift at 219 Castlereagh St and asked to see Mr Cooney.

Police claim that as the lawyer walked towards him he allegedly opened fire, shooting him in the groin with the pistol. Mr Cooney is believed to be among several employees who then pinned the shooter down, while police rushed to the scene.

Mr Cooney was taken to St Vincent’s hospital in a stable condition. Picture: OnScene Bondi

NSW Police Detective Inspector David El-Badawi said the incident occurred solely within the building, despite some reports of activity outside, and said the alleged gunman was held down by at least “five or six people” inside.

“The call came through and said multiple people had been shot,” Insp El-Badawi said.

“Police attended the scene within three minutes and at the scene we found one alleged male offender who was being held down by staff members.”

The building where the shooting allegedly occurred is also home to the Greek Consulate General and other law firms.

Vulic spent Wednesday night at Day Street Police Station before a court hearing on Thursday, charged with offences including shoot at with intent to murder, two counts of acquiring a pistol subject to firearm prohibition order, two counts of possessing a loaded firearm, and two counts of possessing a prohibited firearm.

He did not face court himself and made no application for bail, with the matter next due in court on May 2.

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