Mohamad Chami shot dead, second man injured in Merrylands, Holroyd ambush

40-year-old Mohamad Chami has been identified as one of the victims of a fatal shooting. Police believe his history with illicit drugs played a role.

A street near the crime scene set up where a man was found dead from a gunshot wound. Picture: Tim Hunter

The man shot dead in a late-night ambush in Sydney’s south west on Thursday is believed to have been killed over a drug debt.

Mohamad Chami, 40, and a 39-year-old man were at an industrial estate on Fox and Robert Streets in Holroyd just before midnight on Thursday, when they were hit with a spray of bullets.

Chami died in the gutter from his wounds, while the second man, managed to get in a car and drive off after being shot in the buttocks.

The crime scene set up where Mohamad Chami was found dead. Picture: Tim Hunter

He had a minor collision with another vehicle outside a service station at the intersection of Pitt and Neil Streets, Merrylands - about six blocks from the scene of the shooting.

Police were called to the scene and discovered Chami’s body nearby and transported the 39-year-old to hospital for emergency surgery.

Chami is known to police as a result of previous drug supply, gun possession and criminal group participation convictions and it is understood he was shot dead over an outstanding drug debt.

His lawyer Mohamad Sakr said his client’s family were distraught following news of his death.

“My condolences to the family over this tragedy. They would appreciate privacy at this time,” he said. “There are no winners in these situations.”

The 40-year-old man’s body was removed from the scene around 9:45am. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Homicide Squad Commander Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty said Strike Force Severne had been established to investigate the shooting.

“Obvious lines of enquiry are whether its an organised crime linked murder or shooting, or a drug related shooting,” he said.

“Either way it’s a violent and audacious crime that’s happened on the streets of Sydney.

“The rain was coming down last night, so police had to put a shelter up because the blood of the victim was running down the gutter of the streets of Sydney.”

A Merryland service station today where a man was believed to have been shot last night before being found nearby. Picture: Tim Hunter

Det Supt Doherty said there was currently no evidence the shooting was related to the current war between the Alameddine and Hamzy crime clans.

He did however confirm the men were associates, and very well-known to police.

“Both these victims are known to police, and that goes toward what the motive may be,” he said.

“The history of both victims and the area and time would suggest it is organised crime or drug related.”

Investigators at the Holyrod crime scene soon after the victim’s body is removed. Picture: Tim Hunter

Det Supt Doherty said homicide squad detectives were urging anyone with any information, or who may have seen or heard something to contact police.

“It’s at a point where Sydneysiders are waking up to another public place shooting and another murder and we need assistance from the public to find resolution for these matters,” he said.

Homocide detectives were this morning seen scouring the suburbs of Merrylands and a nearby industrial estate in Holyrod for CCTV.

Police are attempting to piece together the series of events as it is yet unclear how the man ended up dying a kilometre from the shooting.

He was found soon after the first man was treated for his gunshot injury.

A staff member from the Caltex service station located at the Pitt and Neil street intersection said the store was closed at the time and no damages were reported.