Underworld identity Tarek Ayoub shot dead in Parramatta
A man known in underworld circles as the ‘Angel of Death’ has been shot dead in Sydney’s west overnight in the city’s first gangland-related shooting since February.
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Underworld identity Tarek Ayoub — nicknamed the ‘Angel of Death’ — has been shot dead in Sydney’s west overnight in the city’s first gangland-related shooting since February.
Ayoub, a known associate of many of Sydney’s organised crime networks, was gunned down outside an apartment complex on Harold St in Parramatta just after 3.30am on Monday.
NSW Police and NSW Ambulance paramedics were called to the scene of the shooting and tried to perform CPR on Ayoub, but he could not be saved.
A suspected getaway car was found on fire five kilometres away on Abeckett St in Granville.
Ayoub, also known in Sydney’s underworld as the “Angel of Death”, was visiting “an associate” in Parramatta when he was peppered with bullets in an “execution-style murder”, police said.
“He was shot down in a hail of bullets in the car park,” Homicide Squad Commander Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty said on Monday morning.
“When I say multiple times, it’s a large number of shots that have been fired.”
“This was a targeted shooting. He (Ayoub) is a well-known criminal identity, with a long history of violence ... he is known in underworld circles as the ‘Angel of Death’, that was a nickname provided to him,” he said.
“Mr Ayoub certainly lived by the sword and died by the sword.”
While the investigation is still in its infancy, Mr Doherty said police had “too many suspects and too many motives” to identify before commenting further on the nature of the attack on the 29-year-old from Yagoona.
“He was a person who was very well-known for being involved in organised crime. He had links and associations who were known to police, (there were) many investigations where his name had popped up, so the list of suspects could be long and the reasons why he was killed just as long,” Mr Doherty said.
“There was a large amount of ballistic evidences there, so this was a message sent to Tarek Ayoub and it certainly was received. It was very loud and clear they meant to kill him and left a large number of cases behind to show they mean business.”
The “associate” who lived in the apartment complex where Ayoub was gunned down, is currently assisting police with inquiries.
“We’re not saying there’s any information that connects that person to the murder or any involvement,” he said.
Earlier on Monday, a group of five men could be seen standing outside the apartment complex screaming, crying and shouting “they killed him”, while hugging each other.
The group paced up and down the street with some screaming into their phones while on calls.
A resident of the apartment complex recalled hearing a number of gun shots in the early morning, before seeing “a body” lying on her driveway.
“I heard a loud car noise and looked out the kitchen window and saw a black car,” the woman said.
“I heard multiple gunshots and then I looked out the window again and saw a body ... then I saw the police cars.”
Workers at offices nearby have been sent home for the day, with buildings shut down and blocked off by police.
A large police presence remained outside the property, with officers blocking off Harold St with tape and forensic specialists examining the entrance to the complex.
Detectives entered and exited the property throughout Monday morning and spoke to the group of men at the top of the street.
Ayoub, who was also known as Torek, was previously charged for his involvement in the aftermath of the murder of teenager Brayden Dillan, who was shot dead as he slept in his bed at Glenfield in April 2017.
He ultimately pleaded guilty to concealing details about the offence.
Ayoub’s murder comes less than two months after his brother Najm was charged by police over his alleged involvement in another shooting.
Najm allegedly dropped shooting victim Thikran Hachem, 23, to Bankstown Hospital in the early hours of June 25 suffering a bullet wound to the stomach. It is believed the pair had been travelling together when the car they were in was shot at.
But police arrested Najm, alleging he refused to tell them what had happened or where the shooting took place.
There is no suggestion Mr Hachem or Najm Ayoub are connected with any crime group.
In a statement, NSW Police said: “An investigation is underway following the fatal shooting of a man in Parramatta this morning.
“Just after 3.30am [on Monday], emergency services were called to Harold Street, after reports of a shooting.
“NSW Ambulance paramedics treated a man, however, he died at the scene. He is yet to be formally identified but is believed to be aged 29.
“Officers attached to Parramatta Police Area Command have established a crime scene, which will be examined by specialist forensic police.
“As the investigation continues, detectives urge anyone with information, CCTV or dashcam vision in relation the this incident to contact Parramatta Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”
Parramatta police have established a crime scene which will be examined by specialist forensic police on Monday, as well as detectives from State Crime Command.
The burnt out car suspected of being used to flee the scene of the shooting by Ayoub’s killers had been reported stolen.
Police were told that as that first vehicle burnt alight, the two men were reportedly seen leaving the scene in another vehicle.
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