David Stemler, 28, shot dead in Canterbury as Sydney rocked by another shooting
David Stemler — who was shot dead outside his rental home in the southwest suburb of Canterbury just after 2am on Thursday — was facing charges of drug possession, it can be revealed.
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The latest victim of Sydney’s underworld war was facing charges of drug possession and is believed to have links to the barber shop shooting at Marrickville just weeks ago.
David Stemler, 28, was shot dead in a hail of bullets as he met with two men outside his rental home in the southwest suburb of Canterbury just after 2am on Thursday.
An incredible photo taken by The Daily Telegraph captured Mr Semler’s heavily-tattooed body lying on the road as two primary school children walked past on their way to school.
It can be revealed he was currently before the NSW Local Court on drug possession charges, which he had pleaded not guilty to.
NSW Police has announced the launch of Taskforce Magnus in the wake of Mr Stemler’s death.
It is unclear if there are known links between the three other shootings that will fall under the umbrella of the taskforce.
Taskforce Magnus will see a collaboration of the investigations into Mr Stemler’s death, as well as the shooting of well-known lawyer Mahmoud Abbas at Greenacre on Wednesday.
Also included in the grouped investigation will be the death of Marvin Oraiha at Elizabeth Hills in May (Strike Force Hackenburg), the shooting of William and Eric Siale at a Marrickville barber shop in July (Strike Force Orsino), the triple-shooting at Greenacre on Sunday (Strike Force Alpina), as well as the death of Alen Moradian in Bondi Junction (Strike Force Parachuter).
Within minutes of the Canterbury shooting two burnt out cars were reported not far away, in an indication it is the latest gangland hit.
A Lexus was found burnt out on Dunrossil Ave in Casula about 3.20am and a white Holden commodore went up in flames at Kingsgrove on Beaconsfield Ave about 6.10am.
It is not known if the cars are linked to the shooting.
NSW Police on Thursday announced a new Taskforce to investigate the latest incidents that included three people being shot on Sunday morning and a high-profile lawyer shot on Wednesday.
Taskforce Magnus is being led by State Crime Command (SCC) and will examine the links between the shootings dating back to that of Alen Moradian in Bondi Junction on June 27. Deputy Commissioner Dave Hudson said the Taskforce would include multiple strike forces, created to look at individual incidents.
Initial inquiries suggest the common link between the shootings is conflict arising from the alleged supply of prohibited drugs, particularly in the southwest Sydney area.
In addition to examining the circumstances and links between the incidents, the taskforce will be responsible for ramped up activity to target and disrupt those still believed to be in ongoing conflict.
Investigators, expertise, and resources will be pooled from across the entire NSWPF organisation, including from all of State Crime Command’s specialist squads.
One resident of Broughton St said she was told by a neighbour who heard the attack there were three shots fired. Another resident said he also heard three shots.
“ I heard three pops and then driving away,” he said. “I went back to bed. I’m not getting involved.”
Another resident, Tony Simms, said he heard multiple “very quick short and sharp shots” followed by silence.
“No screech of tires. Very quiet afterwards. Lots of ambulance and police. It was just surrounded by the paramedics,” Mr Simms said.
“I was amazed at the speed of the shots. The cops have this street on speed dial. The police are here regularly and the area has some problems. Hopefully it never happens again.”
Police sources said they were investigating whether the shooting was linked to drug supply.
The shooting comes hours after
bullets were fired at a high profile lawyer at a separate location just 10 minutes away.
at a separate location just 10 minutes away.
On Wednesday, criminal defence lawyer Mahmoud Abbas was shot outside his Greenacre home, which is less than seven kilometres away from the second shooting.
Police believe both attacks were targeted but there is no suggestion the incidents are linked.
Mr Abbas remains in a stable condition after the daylight attack which rocked the city’s legal profession, and police search for a motive.
He was shot in the right leg and stomach outside his home on Narelle Crescent.
Earlier in the week, three young people were shot in another unrelated attack also in Greenacre, which left a man on life support.
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