Surgery to make or break Tarek Zahed’s recovery from shooting

Bikie heavyweight Tarek Zahed survived 10 bullets in the gangland hit which killed his brother Omar. But Zahed’s future will be decided by further surgeries on his critical injuries.

Senior bikie Tarek Zahed will undergo multiple rounds of surgery before medical experts will be able to tell what quality of life he will have after Tuesday’s gangland shooting.

The 41-year-old member of Comanchero bikie gang was shot 10 times — which included one bullet wound to his head — inside Auburn’s Bodyfit Gym about 8pm in an assassination that claimed the life of his brother, Omar.

Zahed underwent surgery immediately after the shooting and remains in a stable condition in a hospital’s intensive care unit where doctors placed him in an induced coma.

While he has so far survived the shooting, Zahed’s ongoing condition and quality of life will only be determined following upcoming surgeries.

“He is going to need more surgeries (to know) what the full impacts are,” said a source familiar with the shooting.

“Multiple future surgeries (are) expected.”

Given the wounds he sustained, it is miraculous that Tarek is not already dead.

Comanchero OMCG sergeant-at-arms Tarek Zahed (right) and brother Omar (left). Picture: Supplied

But the question now remains as to whether he will ever recover from his injuries.

One of the bullets hit Zahed in the eye before exiting through his jaw. Others hit him in the body and legs.

The two gunmen fired dozens of shots and Omar, 39, died on the foyer floor of the Parramatta Rd gym after taking bullet wounds to his stomach, arms and legs.

Up to 20 shots were fired by the shooters who miraculously did not hit any innocent bystanders.

Police forensic teams at the scene of the shooting at the Bodyfit gym. Picture: John Grainger

Emergency crews work on Zahed after he and his brother Omar were shot. Picture: Supplied

Meanwhile, police are now turning their attention to investigating the significant number of people who would have had a motive to shoot the Zahed brothers.

“(Tarek) has been involved in organised crime for many years and with that comes a large pool of people who could have a reason to do him harm,” one senior officer said.

“It is not like normal society where you can take someone to court — this is how they settle things.”

The officer also said it should not be ruled out that Tarek was an unintended victim caught in the crossfire.

“Who knows, his brother Omar may have been the target,” the officer said.

“He’s got a lengthy criminal record and history of being involved in criminal activities.”

Tarek Zahed arriving at Downing Centre Court in 2020. Picture: Bianca De Marchi

One of the burnt out cars in Greenacre. Picture: Supplied

Shortly after the shooting, investigators found two Audi Q7s on fire in the nearby suburbs of Berala and Greenacre at 8.09pm and 8.21pm respectively.

Police have since confirmed that a gun was found at the scene in Berala.

“A firearm was recovered following a search of the crime scene at Berala,” a NSW Police statement read.

“It has been seized for forensic examination.”

Police Commissioner Karen Webb announced this week that she would bolster the numbers of officers attached to the force’s gang busting squad known as Strike Force Raptor.

The attack was the 12th gangland shooting to occur on Sydney’s streets in the last two years and came less than a fortnight after the execution of gangster Mahmoud “Brownie” Ahmad who was gunned down at Greenacre.

Ahmad, 39, was released from prison six months ago after serving five years for the manslaughter of gangland rival Safwan Charbaji in 2016.