Police look into mistaken identity theory in Sefton gym shooting

Police are looking into whether the Sefton gym shooting victim was accidentally mistaken for the intended target because he drives an almost identical car.

Police are exploring whether the brutal shooting of a man outside a Sefton gym on Thursday could be a case of mistaken identity because the killers’ intended target drives the same car.

The Mercedes SUV is now a crucial piece of evidence in the investigation after Taha Sabbagh was set upon by a masked gunman while walking to the car with his morning coffee in his hand.

Detectives looking into the murder of Mr Sabbagh have been told the 40-year-old father may have been accidentally mistaken for the owner of Elite Fight Force gym, Hany Sbat.

Police sources said Mr Sbat, a professional MMA fighter, was currently out of the country but both men drive almost identical cars and were involved in a brawl at the gym recently.

The pair have known each other for a long time and have been pictured together at the gym and at MMA events in recent years.

40-year-old Taha Sabbagh (left) with Elite Fight Force gym owner Hany Sbat.

The theory is one of several being considered by detectives looking into if Mr Sabbagh had any enemies.

“They (the gunmen) just took a chance, it’s not like they stopped to check if it was him,” a police source said.

The car, which sources said is similar to the one driven by Mr Sbat. Picture: ABC

“He was an easy target at that time.”

Mr Sabbagh has a fleet of cars at his disposal at his luxury car hire business and police sources say it was “a fluke” he was driving a car almost identical to Mr Sbat’s.

Sabbagh has a limited criminal history with minor charges dating back more than 10 years ago.

The only charges on his record are a driving offence in 2012 and a 2005 theft charge. There is no suggestion of wrongdoing by him in relation to the current investigation.

Victim Taha Sabbagh poses with the UFC belt. Picture: Instagram

Sefton gym shooting victim Taha Sabbagh. Picture: Instagram

Despite running a successful business, Mr Sabbagh and his family live in a humble housing commission property in Greenacre.

Sources say the gym is frequented by figures connected to Sydney’s underworld including members of the Comanchero.

It’s not suggested the owners or staff were involved in any wrongdoing.
An attempt was made to contact Mr Sbat for comment but was unsuccessful.

The suspected getaway car was found burnt out at Birrong train station soon after the attack. Picture: NCA NewsWire

Mr Sabbagh died after a masked gunman ran toward him outside the gym about 6.30am and fired six shots.He died in front of his 12-year-old son who he was dropping off to the gym for an early morning gym session.

Neighbouring business owners reported hearing the young boy screaming for help as his father laid dying in the gym car park.

“It’s a sickening feeling,” Homicide Squad Commander Superintendent Danny Doherty said.

“While he was not well known to police, he was associated to people who are well known to police and have strong criminal activity connected to them.”

Mr Sabbagh’s death is the 18th fatality in Sydney’s gangland war since 2020.

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