Dawood Zakaria: Alleged Alameddine associate dies after being shot in head

A man who was shot in the head during an allegedly targeted drive-by shooting on a suburban street has died in hospital days after the shocking incident.

A man who was ambushed and shot in the head during an allegedly targeted drive-by shooting has died in hospital.

Dawood Zakaria was shot in the head inside a Toyota HiLux while it was turning onto Woodville Road, in Granville, about 5pm on Sunday.

The 32-year-old died on Tuesday afternoon after being rushed to hospital in a critical condition and undergoing surgery.

Police said earlier in the week he had not been expected to survive.

Solicitor Sylvan Singh was shot in the arm and leg during an allegedly target drive-by attack. Picture: Supplied

It is understood Mr Zakaria was an alleged gangland associate.

Another passenger in the front seat, Sydney lawyer Syvlan Singh, suffered arm and leg gunshot injuries.

He remains in a stable condition.

It is understood gunshots were allegedly intended for Alameddine crime gang member Samimjan Azari, who was in the back seat with his bodyguard Levi Vitukawalu.

Both were uninjured in the ordeal.

The men had reportedly just attended Mr Azari’s bail hearing, joined by Mr Singh – who has no links to the underworld other than his work.

Dawood Zakaria has died in hospital after suffering critical head wounds. He had not been expected to survive. Picture: Supplied

It is the second time an attempt on Mr Azari’s life has been carried out, escaping another attempted hit in Brighton Le Sands – where he was in a group alongside Mr Zakaria – uninjured three months ago.

Strike Force Arrino has been established to investigate the shooting, and will be overseen by Taskforce Falcon.

The taskforce is a combination of 13 strike forces to investigate a arson, kidnappings and public shootings since December 2024.

“The recent violence on our streets is horrific,” NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley said.

“We won’t tolerate these lawless thugs playing out their vendettas in our communities.

“When innocent people get caught up in them and are made to suffer it’s sickening and barbaric.

“We will not tolerate these lawless thugs getting out there with their vendetta against each other and putting in danger members of our community.”

Anyone with information, dashcam footage or CCTV vision of the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

Originally published as Dawood Zakaria: Alleged Alameddine associate dies after being shot in head