Police search Deepwater Park, Panania in Mejid Hamzy murder probe

Police are searching a Western Sydney park after newly released footage showed the minutes before Mejid Hamzy’s assassination. See our map.

The movements of two gunmen in the lead up to the shooting that kicked off Sydney’s underworld war have led police to focus on a secluded suburban park where the murder weapon may have been dumped.

Mejid Hamzy’s brazen early morning assassination outside his Condell Park home on October 19 2020 was the first of eight shootings which NSW Police detectives believe have come as a result of tensions between the Hamzy and Alameddine organised crime networks.

Mejid Hamzy was gunned down in October 2020.

Dozens of police began a search of Deepwater Park at Milperra on Tuesday morning off the back of critical CCTV which captured two men walking to and from the area in the hours before Hamzy was gunned down.

Detective Acting Superintendent Chris Goddard said one of the men was caught without his balaclava on in the moments after the shooting and has distinctive blonde hair, leading investigators to hope someone may recognise him.

“A review of that footage has led us to be here today and also opened up significant lines of inquiry which will assist us in our investigation,” Det Act Supt Goddard said.

Deepwater Park in Milperra, where police are searching for evidence leading to Mejid Hamzy’s killers. Picture: AAP Image/Robert Pozo

“We obviously want to solve this as quick as we possibly can … and also to appeal to the public, in particular to the man who has got the distinctive blonde hair … we believe that there’s a significant chance of someone identifying or at least knowing who this person is.

“We think these people may live close by the area.

“We suspect they may have hidden guns or other paraphernalia associated with the murder somewhere in Deepwater Park, or in fact that they have used this as a meeting spot.”

CCTV and dashcam footage has led police to believe between 4am and 5am the two men visited Deepwater Park where they discussed their plans for the hit, before driving to Condell Park.

At 7.25am two men in dark clothing got out of a RAV4 on Simmat Avenue and opened fire on Hamzy, before taking off south along Colechin Reserve where the hood of one man fell down, revealing blond hair.

A 38-year-old man has been charged in relation to planning of the incident and remains before the courts.

Police have released new CCTV of the two suspected gunmen. Picture: NSW Police

The renewed search for answers into Hamzy’s death came as his high-profile cousin Ibrahem Hamze faced extradition to Sydney a day after being arrested on the Gold Coast.

Hamze, 29, was arrested on Monday and after a night in Southport Watchhouse faced court on Tuesday.

The underworld figure wore a white t-shirt and shorts for the appearance and spoke little.

Police sources confirmed once back in NSW, Hamze is expected to face a number of charges including solicit or persuade to murder, accessory before the fact – shoot with intent to murder and acquire a firearm.

The charges relate to a shooting at a Prospect gym in which an Alameddine associate was shot, as a young baby at a neighbouring daycare came within centimetres of being struck by a stray bullet.

Hamze has been the target of at least two attempted assassinations believed to be linked to the gang war.

CCTV CLUES OVER GANGLAND HIT

Video footage depicting a series of events before and after the shooting has also been released as part of a fresh appeal for information.

In the first half of the footage, a man is seen walking towards Kelso Park South, Panania, just after 4am, hours before Hamzy’s murder. Half an hour later, two black-clad men are seen walking towards Deepwater Park.

Three vehicles – a black Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA45, grey Toyota RAV4, and white BMW 328i – are seen travelling in a convoy on Edgar Street, Condell Park, around the same time.

Hours later, two men in dark clothing are seen running out of the RAV4 believed to be used in the murder on Simmat Ave, about 7.25am.

A white BMW filmed on the video driving in a convoy with two other cars.

Mejid Hamzy is seen attempting to flee Simmat Ave after the shooting, as the RAV4 follows behind him.

Minutes later, two men in dark clothing are seen running south in Colechin Reserve, Condell Park, about 7.35am. The hood worn by one of the men falls momentarily, revealing blond hair, earning him the nickname ‘Mr Blond.’

Half an hour later, around 8.10am, two men in darking clothing are seen walking together at Kelso Park bicycle track.

Two people seen running through a park.

They were spotted in Condell Park in the morning.

A short time later, two men are seen walking together through Kelso Park South carpark towards Marco Ave.

Police are now appealing to the public to help locate the men, one of whom is seen wearing a distinctive black and grey hoodie and the other who is seen wearing a dark coloured hoody with stripes, dark trackpants and white shoes.

Detectives believe the two men seen in the footage can assist with their inquiries. They are also appealing for anyone with information relating to the black Mercedes-Benz to come forward.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.