Hundreds farewell slain underworld figure Amar Kettule

Hundreds of mourners gathered at a church in western Sydney to farewell slain underworld figure Amar Kettule, who was shot dead near his home last week.

Hundreds of mourners have gathered at a church in western Sydney to farewell slain underworld figure Amar Kettule.

Mr Kettule was shot multiple times as he sat in his car next to his girlfriend near his apartment building on William St in Fairfield last Sunday morning.

The 34-year-old, known as a senior member of Assyrian street gang the True Kings or the “Robin Hood of Fairfield’’ depending on who you ask, was farewelled at a large funeral in Bossley Park on Saturday morning.

Hundreds of people swarmed the St Thomas The Apostle Chaldean and Assyrian Church with many mourners standing in the sun outside for an hour because the pews inside were full.

A woman carrying Kettule’s photo touches the hearse. All pictures: Julian Andrews

Kettule’s coffin is carried from the church on Saturday.

Amar Kettule was shot dead in Fairfield.

A majority of the crowd wore white T-shirts printed with a photo of Mr Kettule’s face on the front and a large ace under the words “king ace” on the back.

A diverse mix turned out to pay their respects, from heavily-tattooed Nomads outlaw motorcycle gang members to criminal lawyers and fellow Assyrian crime figures.

There were emotional scenes when Mr Kettule’s white coffin, topped with red roses, was carried out of the church with his grief stricken family in tow.

Drummers played loudly and mourners cheered and chanted as Mr Kettule’s family and close friends carried framed photographs of him through the bustling crowd.

At one point, the crowd lifted up an elderly woman, believed to be Mr Kettule’s mother, and another man as they waved white roses and a silver crown above their heads.

Police officers kept an eye on the chanting crowd.

Crying family members walked slowly behind the hearse.

A huge crowd gathered at St Thomas The Apostle Chaldean and Assyrian Catholic Church.

Several white doves and a bunch of white balloons were released into the sky as the coffin was loaded into the waiting hearse.

Crying family members walked slowly behind the hearse out of the church grounds and onto Quarry Road as a white limousine and motorbikes followed.

There was a heavy Strike Force Raptor presence at the funeral with police stopping cars to check licences and attempting to control traffic as the crowd spilled onto the road.

Mr Kettule will be buried at Rookwood Cemetery.

The Homicide Squad is leading the investigation into Mr Kettule’s murder and exploring any potential links to his prior gang life.

Mr Kettule, who had a significant criminal record, including for drug supply, has long been affiliated with the True Kings, an Assyrian street gang born and bred in Fairfield, and a rival of gang, DLASTHR (The Last Hour).

CCTV shows Kettule in his black Toyota Prado with girlfriend before being gunned down.

Friends gathered outside the Bossley Park church.

Mr Kettule’s inner circle have been at pains to separate him from his underworld ties.

Crowds carry Kettule’s coffin from the church.

Six years ago, his brother, Dyllan Kettule, 19, was executed in eerily similar circumstances outside his girlfriend’s unit block in Canley Vale.

Mr Kettule’s inner circle have been at pains to separate him from his underworld ties, describing him as “protector” and a “prankster” who went out of his way to help those in need.

His shooting death came two months after DLASTHR senior figure Samer Marcus survived a hit on his life in Campbelltown.

Marcus, 45 has been left with severe injuries after being shot six times and is unable to communicate properly in hospital.

DLASTHR, which emerged in the Assyrian community around Fairfield in the early 2000s, and the True Kings, which turned up on the police radar around 2012, have a turbulent history.

The violence peaked in 2016 when a fight over drug turf culminated in shootings and firebombings.