Manhunt under way after 30 shots fired at Mount Druitt home in early-morning drive-by
Moments after alleged bikie Taniela Moeakiola arrived to visit, a western Sydney home was sprayed with bullets for the second time in four years as 11 people — including six children — slept.
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The intended target of a drive-by shooting in Western Sydney is believed to be a high-ranking bikie who had just arrived from interstate to visit his relatives.
More than 30 shots were fired from a rifle into the front of a home on Frank Street, Mt Druitt just after 1am on Friday morning, moments after alleged bikie Taniela Moeakiola walked through the front door.
It was the second time the home has been targeted, with the first shooting occurring in 2021, also when Moeakiola was in town.
On Friday morning, just minutes after Moeakiola had arrived from the airport to visit relatives, gunmen in a black sedan pulled up outside, spraying bullets through the windows, which ripped up furniture and smashed the television.
Six children were inside, as well as five adults, including Tui Puliuvea, who all ran for cover as the bullets descended on their home.
“We just grabbed the kids and ducked for cover,” Mr Puliuvea said.
“Sounded like fireworks, we were saying ‘stay down, stay down’.
“It was scary – but we don’t know who would do this, or why.”
However, the Telegraph can reveal police sources believe the gunmen were targeting Moeakiola, who was last year stabbed at Rookwood Cemetery following the funeral of another bikie.
Moeakiola sustained serious injuries, and left the state shortly after. It’s understood Friday was the first time he had returned to NSW following the stabbing.
Sources say detectives are now investigating how the gunmen knew Moeakiola was at the home, and so quickly after his arrival.
Mount Druitt police superintendent Darrin Batchelor said as well as firing at the home, the gunmen fired several “indiscriminate shots” around the street.
“There was two volleys of shots,” he said.
“There were the initial shots – about 15 to 20 – and then a short time later there were a number of additional shots.
“It’s quite worrying for police, it’s a targeted attack but to have no concern for the other occupants inside that house, including young children, is extremely alarming.”
Police are still hunting for the gunmen, who were last seen speeding away from the scene just before 1.30am.
“They were certainly speeding away,” a neighbour said. “You could hear the tires screeching when they took off.”
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